Continuous wave laser operation of Yb3+:YVO4

Abstract

We have demonstrated the continuous wave laser operation of Yb3+:YVO4. For Ti:Al2O3 laser pumping at 985 nm, a maximum slope efficiency of 41.1% and a threshold pump power of 76 mW were obtained. The maximum output power was 433 mW at a laser wavelength of 1037 nm. Using a cw diode laser around 974 nm as a pump source, a slope efficiency of 10.9% and a maximum output power of 152 mW were achieved at a laser wavelength of 1039 nm. The laser threshold pump power was 608 mW with respect to the absorbed pump power. The effective emission cross-sections for the 2F5/2→2F7/2 transition were determined using the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg equation. The maxima of the effective absorption and emission cross-sections were found at 984.5 nm (6.74×10-20 cm2) in π-po larization and 985.5 nm (4.28×10-20 cm2) also in π-p olarization. The upper laser level lifetime was measured with suppression of radiation trapping and is around 318 μs.