Sub-100 fs SWCNT-SA mode-locked Tm,Ho:LCLNGG laser

Abstract

We report on sub-100-fs pulse generation from a passively mode-locked laser based on a novel disordered crystal, lanthanum calcium lithium niobium gallium garnet (LCLNGG) codoped with thulium (Tm3+) and holmium (Ho3+) ions. In the continuous-wave regime, the Tm,Ho:LCLNGG laser generated a maximum output power of 350 mW at 2080.5 nm with a slope efficiency of 23.8%. By using a Lyot filter, the laser wavelength was continuously tuned over a broad range of ∼210 nm (1904.1 - 2114.1 nm). Soliton mode-locking was initiated and stabilized by a transmission-type single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber. Pulses as short as 63 fs were obtained at a central wavelength of 2072.7 nm with an average output power of 63 mW at a pulse repetition rate of ∼102.5 MHz.