Ho:KLuW microchip laser intracavity pumped by a diode-pumped Tm:KLuW laser

Abstract

A compact intracavity-pumped microchip Ho laser is realized using stacked Tm:KLuW/Ho:KLuW crystals pumped by a laser diode at 805 nm; both crystals are cut for light propagation along the Ng optical indicatrix axis and emit with polarization along the Nm axis. Maximum CW output power of 285 mW is achieved at a wavelength of 2080 nm for 5.6 W absorbed pump power in the Tm:KLuW crystal with a maximum slope efficiency of 8.3 %. Maximum total (Tm3+ and Ho3+ emission) output of 887 mW with a slope efficiency of 23 % is achieved. Laser operation is obtained in the 1867-1900 nm spectral range corresponding to the Tm emission, while Ho emits at 2078-2100 nm, depending on the output coupling. The microchip Ho laser generates a near-circular output beam with M2 < 1.1. The compact laser setup with plane-plane cavity provides automatic mode-matching condition for the Tm and Ho laser modes.