Ultrashort pulse generation from diode pumped mode-locked Yb3+:sesquioxide single crystal lasers

We present diode pumped SESAM supported Kerr-lens mode locked laser operation based on Yb3+:Sc2O3 and Yb3+:Lu2O3 single crystals. Pulses as short as 71 fs with an average power of 1.09 W were obtained from an Yb3+:Lu2O3 single crystal. Yb3+:Sc2O3 delivered pulses as short as 81 fs with an average power of 840 mW. The mode locked laser operation was stable for longer than 2 hours. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America