Blue LD-pumped continuous wave a-cut Pr3+:LiYF4 near-infrared laser at 868 nm

We reported an 868 nm Pr3+:LiYF4 (Pr:YLF) laser pumped by an InGaN blue laser diode (LD) for the first time. The maximum power of the laser was 641 mW and the beam quality M-x(2) and M-y(2) factors were -2.66 in the xdirection and -2.32 in the y-direction, respectively. The output power fluctuation was stable within +/- 2 %. The 868 nm laser was successfully realized in Pr:YLF crystal by designing and optimizing the laser resonant cavity and optical thin films. In addition, we theoretically simulated the nonlinear relationship between the laser output power and the absorbed pump power, and the theoretical simulation results were in agreement with the experimental data. The first realization of the 868 nm Pr:YLF laser further expands the near-infrared lasers.

Automated summary

This study reports the first realization of an 868 nm Pr:YLF laser pumped by an InGaN blue laser diode. The laser achieved a maximum power of 641 mW with stable output and good beam quality. The experimental results were in agreement with theoretical simulations.