Mode-locking of diode laser-pumped solid-state lasers

Mode-locked diode-pumped solid state lasers have become important sources for efficient and reliable short pulse generation. We review techniques for active mode-locking of diode-pumped lasers, highlighting techniques which have produced much shorter pulse durations than previous technologies and extended operating repetition rates to the several gigahertz regime. To achieve even shorter pulse durations a series of nonlinear passive mode-locking techniques have been developed. Self-starting additive pulse mode-locking, resonant passive mode-locking and self-mode-locking of diode-pumped solid-state lasers are described.