2.7 µm dual-wavelength laser performance of LD end-pumped Er:YAP crystal.

ABSTRACT

We demonstrate a laser diode (LD) end-pumped ErYAP laser with dual-wavelength outputs of 2710 and 2728 nm. The maximum average powers of 739 and 738 mW are achieved in the continuous wave (CW) and pulse modes, which corresponds to optical-to-optical efficiencies of 10.1% and 12.3%, and the slope efficiencies of 12.1% and 13.8%, respectively. In addition, a comparison of laser performance on differently sized crystals indicates that the 1 × 1 × 5 mm3 ErYAP crystal has a best cooling efficiency. This helps to decrease the thermal lensing effect, which contributes to improving laser efficiency and beam quality.