Abstract
We report on the continuous-wave (CW) and Kerr-lens mode-locked (KLM) operation of an ytterbium (Yb<sup>3+</sup>) doped orthorhombic calcium rare-earth borate Yb:Ca<sub>3</sub>Gd<sub>2</sub>(BO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub> (Yb:GdCB) disordered crystal. A high quality 10 at.% Yb:GdCB crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. An X-shaped astigmatically compensated linear cavity was employed for evaluating the CW and KLM laser performance of an a-cut (sp. gr. <i>Pnma</i>) Yb:GdCB crystal. Pumping with a single-transverse mode, fiber-coupled diode laser at 976 nm, a maximum CW output power of 548 mW was obtained at 1049 nm with a slope efficiency of 67.8% and a linear laser polarization (<i>E</i> || <i>b</i>). A broad wavelength tuning range of ~88 nm (1001 – 1089 nm) was achieved in the CW regime. Stable KLM operation was initiated and stabilized by a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). Nearly Fourier-transform-limited pulses as short as 33 fs were generated at a central wavelength of 1055.3 nm with an average output power of 98 mW for a pulse repetition rate of ~67.3 MHz.
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