Continuous-wave and passively Q-switched pulsed 1.5 μm Er:Yb:Ba3Gd(PO4)3 lasers

An eye-safe 1567 nm continuous-wave laser with a maximum output power of 50 mW and a slope efficiency of 21.1% was demonstrated in an Er:Yb:Ba3Gd(PO4)3 crystal. By using a Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystal with an initial transmission of 95% as a saturable absorber, a stable passively Q-switched pulsed laser was also realized in the crystal. The effects of the output coupler transmission and cavity length on pulsed performance were investigated. At an absorbed pump power of 350 mW, a 1541 nm Er:Yb:Ba3Gd(PO4)3 pulsed laser with a repetition frequency of 0.86 kHz, duration of 38 ns, energy of 21.2 pJ, and peak output power of 0.56 kW was obtained.(c) 2022 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

In this paper, an eye-safe continuous wave laser and a stable passive Q-switched pulsed laser are demonstrated. The effects of the output coupler transmission and cavity length on pulsed performance are investigated.