Experimental study of wavelength switchable Yb:YAG large size rectangular core crystalline waveguide mode-locking laser

We demonstrate a wavelength switchable high-power passively mode-locked laser based on a large size rectangular core crystalline waveguide and a semiconductor saturable absorption mirror. The wavelength switching is realized by controlling the polarization direction, the 1030 nm or 1050 nm mode-locked pulses are obtained. For 1030 nm single-wavelength configuration, an average power of 16.8-W with 2-ps pulse duration is achieved. For 1050 nm single-wavelength configuration, we obtained 15-W of average output power in pulses with 2.7-ps duration. This work proves that, in the large size rectangular core crystalline waveguide, the gain of 1030 nm laser is different for different polarization states, and the wavelength switching is realized.

Automated summary

We present a wavelength switchable high-power passively mode-locked laser based on a large size rectangular core crystalline waveguide and a semiconductor saturable absorption mirror. By controlling the polarization direction, 1030 nm or 1050 nm mode-locked pulses are achieved, with high average output power and moderate pulse duration.