Efficient and tunable continuous-wave diode-pumped Yb3+:Ca4GdO(BO3)3 laser.

ABSTRACT

A Yb(3+)Ca(4)GdO(BO(3))(3) (YbGdCOB) crystal has been diode pumped for the first time to our knowledge. We obtained 47.5% slope efficiency at 6 degrees C, producing 191 mW of power at 1050 nm, with a 2.4% output coupler. Temperature does not significantly affect the laser performance At room temperature we still obtained 180 mW of power for the same cavity. We achieved tunability of the YbGdCOB laser from 1035 to 1088 nm with a 1.7% output coupler and 100-nm tunability with a low-transmission output coupling (T = 0.03%).