Directly diode-pumped, kerr-lens mode-locked Cr:ZnSe oscillator

Abstract

Solid-state lasers based on Cr²⁺-doped II-VI materials have proven to be reliable sources for generating few-cycle pulses in the mid-infrared (2-3 μm) spectral range [1-3], making them highly attractive for spectroscopic applications [1]. Er:fiber and Tm:fiber lasers are currently the pump sources of choice for building high-power Cr:ZnS/ZnSe oscillators. However, they involve high initial costs and usually result in strong intensity noise features in the kHz-frequency range [2]. Recent improvements in output power of laser diodes, which have intrinsically lower intensity noise, render direct diode-pumping of Cr:ZnS/ZnSe lasers a viable alternative to common fiber-based schemes. Here, we report the first time that diode-pumping was applied to a Kerr-lens mode-locked oscillator with a Cr²⁺-doped II-VI gain material.