Yb:YAG thin disk laser passively Q-switched by a hydro-thermal grown molybdenum disulfide saturable absorber

We demonstrate a passively Q-switched Yb: YAG thin disk solid-state laser based on nanoflake MoS2 as a saturable absorber. MoS2 is synthesized by a hydro-thermal process. The prepared MoS2 is transferred onto the BK7 glass for ease-of-use in the solid-state laser as a saturable absorber. The average output power could reach up to 250 mW, center wavelength 1030 nm corresponding to a pulse width, a pulse repetition rate, and a per pulse energy of 12 mu s, 17 kHz, and 15 mu J, respectively. Our results show that nanoflake MoS2 could be a promising saturable absorber for Q-switching solid-state lasers. The over saturation of the MoS2 saturable absorber at a high pump strength limit in a solid-state laser could be also effective for high power operation.