Watt-level tunable narrow bandwidth Tm: YAP laser using a pair of etalons

We demonstrated in this paper a watt-level tunable, narrow band, end-pumped Tm: YAP laser. Spectral tunability of 35 nm ranging continuously between 1917-1951 nm with a spectral linewidth of 0.15 nm FWHM was achieved. The tuning and spectral band narrowing were obtained using a pair of YAG etalons. Watt-level output power was measured along the laser tunable range, obtaining a maximal output power of 3.88 W at 1934 nm. A slope efficiency of 44.8% is demonstrated for a maximal absorbed pump power of 12.1 W. The combination of the narrow bandwidth with tunability at those output power levels makes this laser a promising tool for biomedical, sensing, and material processing applications. (C) 2018 Optical Society of America