Diode-pumped laser with Yb:YAG single-crystal fiber grown by the micro-pulling down technique

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 94; no. 2; pp. 203 - 207
• Main Authors: Sangla, D., Aubry, N., Didierjean, J., Perrodin, D., Balembois, F., Lebbou, K., Brenier, A., Georges, P., Tillement, O., Fourmigué, J.-M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2009; Springer; Springer Verlag
• Subjects: Beam characteristics: profile, intensity, and power; spatial pattern formation; Continuous wave; Crystal fibers; Czochralski method; Diode-pumped lasers; Emission; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Laser optical systems: design and operation; Lasers; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Pumps; Q-switching; Quantum Optics; Single crystals; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.By; 81.05.-t; 42.70.Hj; High-power lasers; Monocrystals; Output power; Radiation quality; Ytterbium additions; Doped materials; Czochralski method; Diode pumping; Q switched laser; Crystal growth from melts; ns range
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-008-3288-8

Laser emission obtained from an Yb:YAG single-crystal fiber directly grown by the micro-pulling down technique is demonstrated for the first time. We achieved 11.2 W of continuous wave (CW) output power at 1031 nm for 55 W of incident pump power at 940 nm. In the Q-switched regime, we obtained pulses as short as 17 ns, for an average power of 2.3 W at 2 kHz corresponding to an energy of 1.15  mJ. In both cases, the  M 2 factor was 2.5. This single-crystal fiber showed performance similar to a standard rod elaborated by the Czochralski method. The potential of Yb 3+ -doped single-crystal fibers is presented for scalable high-average and high-peak-power laser systems.