Continuous-wave and passively Q-switched pulse Er:Yb:Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 microlasers at 1.5–1.6 μm

Abstract

Compact continuous-wave and passively Q-switched pulse microlasers at 1.5–1.6 μm were developed by using a 5-mm-thick Er:Yb:Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 crystal as a gain medium. End-pumped by a 975.6 nm continuous-wave laser diode, a 1555 nm continuous-wave laser with a maximum output power of 1.05 W and a slope efficiency of 8.8% was obtained at an absorbed pump power of 14.2 W. End-pumped by a 975.6 nm pulsed laser diode with a pulse width of 0.3 ms and a pulse period of 1.0 ms, a stable 1534 nm passively Q-switched pulse laser operating at a repetition frequency of 1.0 kHz was realized by using a Co2+:MgAl2O4 crystal with an initial transmission of 95% as a saturable absorber. At a peak absorbed pump power of 23.6 W, the obtained single-pulse energy, pulse width and peak output power were 8.06 μJ, 7.9 ns, and 1.02 kW, respectively.