Exploring the mode-locking laser performance of Yb:LaMgB_5O_10 crystal

The spectral properties of 5 at.% doped Yb:LaMgB5O10 (Yb:LMB) crystal were presented and discussed in detail. The large absorption and emission cross sections, broad emission spectral lines, and considerably good thermal conductivity indicate the considerable potential of Yb:LMB for efficient and powerful ultrashort laser application. In the experiment, the semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) mode-locked Yb:LMB laser generated pulses with the pulse duration of 182 fs and the central wavelength of 1025.2 nm. The maximum average power was 2.49 W with the slope efficiency of 48% and the optical to optical efficiency as high as 32%. Furthermore, pulses of 148 fs with average output power of 1.52 W and 108 fs with 0.61 W were obtained based on Yb:LMB crystal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of mode-locked pulse generation from the Yb:LMB laser.