Directly diode-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr4+:YAG laser

A directly diode-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr4+:YAG laser is demonstrated for what is to our knowledge the first time. Pulses as short as 65 fs with up to 30 mW of average output power, at a central wavelength of 1569 nm, were obtained at a repetition rate of 100 MHz. Low-loss chirped mirrors have been used for dispersion compensation up to the third order. Comparison with an Yb-fiber-pumped configuration shows good prospects for improvement.