1.1 W diode-pumped Er:Yb laser at 1520 nm

Laser oscillation at a wavelength of 1520 nm was obtained in an Er: Yb: YAl3(BO3)(4) crystal end pumped by a 970 nm diode laser. Under the absorbed pump power of 14.6 W, quasi-continuous-wave output powers of 1.1 W with slope efficiency of 13% and 0.8 W with slope efficiency of 11% were achieved in hemispherical and plano-plano cavities, respectively. The laser spectra were recorded for both cavities. The influence of the thermal load in the crystal on the 1520 nm laser oscillation was analyzed. (C) 2007 Optical Society of America.