Lasing properties of a Yb ion in tetragonal LuPO_4 and LuVO_4 isomorphic crystals: A comparative study

A comprehensive investigation is carried out to compare the spectroscopic properties, absorption saturation behaviors and lasing properties of a Yb ion in tetragonal LuPO_4 and LuVO_4 isomorphic crystals. Significant distinctions are revealed in many aspects of the lasing behavior for the Yb ion doped in the two crystal hosts, and Yb:LuPO_4 proves to be superior to Yb:LuVO_4 since it enables efficient laser action to be much more easily achieved. With a 0.6 mm thick crystal plate of Yb:LuPO_4, an output power of 3.30 W can be generated with an optical–optical conversion efficiency of 50.8%; whereas with a 2 mm long miniature crystal rod, the output power produced can reach 8.35 W with an optical–optical conversion efficiency of 46.7%.     

Passive Q-Switching of a Yb:LuVO_4 Laser with Cr~(4+):YAG:Approaching the Intrinsic Upper Limit of Repetition Rate

We demonstrate a diode pumped Yb:LuVO_4 laser that can be passively Q-switched by a Cr~(4+):YAG saturable absorber having an initial transmission as high as 99.3%.A maximum pulsed output power of 2.35 W is generated at a repetition rate of 285.7 kHz,approaching or very near the intrinsic upper limit imposed by the recovery time of the Cr~(4+):YAG saturable absorber,and the resulting pulse energy,duration and peak power are,respectively,8.2μJ,39.2ns and 0.209kW.