Passive mode locking of a mixed garnet Yb:Y3ScAl4O12 ceramic laser

We have demonstrated a passively mode-locked Yb3+-doped Y3ScAl4O12 ceramic laser, which is a solid solution of Y3Al5O12 and Y3Sc2Al3O12, by using a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror. The maximum average output power was as high as 150 mW with a pulse duration of 500 fs. With a 0.5% output coupler, pulses as short as 280 fs having an average output power of 62 mW at 1035.8 nm were obtained. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.