10-W-scale Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALYO laser with sub-100-fs pulses

We reported a high-power pure Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALYO laser based on the dual-confocal cavity delivering sub-100-fs pulses. The output pulses at 81 MHz have an average power of 10.4W and the pulse duration of 98 fs, corresponding to the peak power of 1.14 MW. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest average power ever reported for a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb-bulk oscillator. Analysis of the dual-confocal cavity was also conducted, which indicates a way to achieve higher average power. We believe the result described in this Letter may pave a way to develop Kerr-lens mode-locked bulk lasers with much higher average power. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

This study presents a high-power pure Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb:CALYO laser based on a dual-confocal cavity, delivering sub-100-fs pulses and achieving the highest average power reported for a Kerr-lens mode-locked Yb-bulk oscillator. Analysis of the dual-confocal cavity suggests a pathway to higher average power in the future for Kerr-lens mode-locked bulk lasers.