Energy scaling of Kerr-lens mode-locked thin-disk oscillators

Geometric scaling of a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb : YAG thin-disk oscillator yields femtosecond pulses with an average output power of 270 W. The scaled system delivers femtosecond (210-330 fs) pulses with a peak power of 38 MW. These values of average and peak power surpass the performance of any previously reported femtosecond laser oscillator operated in atmospheric air. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America