Mode-locking operation of quasi-continuous diode pumped TGT-grown Nd,Y-codoped:SrF_2 crystal

摘要

Fluoride-type crystals (CaF_2, SrF_2) doped with neodymium Nd~(3+) present interesting alternative as a laser active media for the diode-pumped mode-locked laser systems mainly because of their broad emission spectra as well as longer fluorescence lifetime in comparison with well-known materials as Nd:YAG or Nd:YVO_4. In comparison with Nd:glass active material, SrF_2 and CaF_2 have better thermal conductivity. In spite of the thermal conductivity decreases with doping concentration, these crystal might be interesting alternative for the Nd:glass mode-locked laser systems. In this contribution we present the first results of the Nd,Y:SrF_2 mode-locked laser diode-pumped at 796nm. Mode-locking operation using SESAM was successfully achieved in the pulsed pumping regime (pulse-duration 1.5 ms, frequency 10 Hz) with the overall average output power of 2.3 mW (corresponding to the power amplitude of 153 mW) in one output beam at the wavelength of ～1055 nm. The actual pulse-duration was 87 ps.