11-GHz waveguide Nd:YAG laser CW mode-locked with single-layer graphene

Andrey G Okhrimchuk; Petr A Obraztsov

doi:10.1038/srep11172

11-GHz waveguide Nd:YAG laser CW mode-locked with single-layer graphene

Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 8:5:11172. doi: 10.1038/srep11172.

Authors

Andrey G Okhrimchuk¹, Petr A Obraztsov²

Affiliations

¹ 1] International Center of Laser Technologies, D. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, 9 Miusskaya Square, Moscow 125047, Russia [2] Fiber Optics Research Center of RAS, 38 Vavilova Str., Moscow 119333, Russia.
² Prokhorov General Physics Institute of RAS, 38 Vavilova Str., Moscow 119333, Russia.

Abstract

We report stable, passive, continuous-wave (CW) mode-locking of a compact diode-pumped waveguide Nd:YAG laser with a single-layer graphene saturable absorber. The depressed cladding waveguide in the Nd:YAG crystal is fabricated with an ultrafast laser inscription method. The saturable absorber is formed by direct deposition of CVD single-layer graphene on the output coupler. The few millimeter-long cavity provides generation of 16-ps pulses with repetition rates in the GHz range (up to 11.3 GHz) and 12 mW average power. Stable CW mode-locking operation is achieved by controlling the group delay dispersion in the laser cavity with a Gires-Tournois interferometer.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't