Hybrid mode locking of a flash-lamp-pumped Ti:Al_2O_3 laser

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We demonstrate an all-solid-state hybrid mode-locking technique for flash-lamp-pumped solid-state lasers. The combination of active acousto-optic modulation and fast saturable-absorber action from a low-temperature multiple quantum well allows strong pulse shaping to be achieved during the rapid pulse energy buildup from the flash-lamp pumping. Pulse durations as short as 4.5 ps have been generated. The high-energy storage available from Ti:Al2O3 allows this new mode-locking technique to produce pulses with peak powers of >4 MW at a 10-Hz repetition rate directly from a single laser.