Design and modeling of a passively Q-switched diode-pumped Thulium laser at 2.3 μm
We report on a diode-pumped Tm:LiYF4 laser operating on the 3H4→3H5 transition (at ∼2.3μm) passively Q-switched by a Cr2+:ZnSe saturable absorber. This laser delivers a maximum average output power of 130 mW at 2304.6 nm with a nearly diffraction limited beam, a linear polarization (π) and no colasi...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Optics communications 2021-12, Vol.500, p.127219, Article 127219 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | We report on a diode-pumped Tm:LiYF4 laser operating on the 3H4→3H5 transition (at ∼2.3μm) passively Q-switched by a Cr2+:ZnSe saturable absorber. This laser delivers a maximum average output power of 130 mW at 2304.6 nm with a nearly diffraction limited beam, a linear polarization (π) and no colasing at ∼1.9μm. The corresponding pulse characteristics (duration/energy) are 1.24 μs/3.6 μJ at a repetition rate of 36 kHz. By power scaling under quasi-CW pumping, even shorter pulse durations of 870 ns and higher pulse energies of 6.1 μJ are achieved. The performance of the laser is simulated using a model of a quasi-four-level gain medium and a “slow” saturable absorber showing a good agreement with the experiment. The effect of the thermal lens of the saturable absorber on the pulse characteristics is discussed.
•Diode-pumped Tm:LiYF4 laser at ∼2.3μm passively Q-switched by Cr2+:ZnSe.•This laser delivers 130 mW at 2304.6 nm with no colasing at ∼1.9μm.•The best pulse characteristics (duration/energy) are 870 ns/6.1 μJ.•The laser performance is simulated showing a good agreement with the experiment.•The effect of the thermal lens of the saturable absorber is discussed. |
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ISSN: | 0030-4018 1873-0310 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.optcom.2021.127219 |