Tm:KLu(WO_4)_2 microchip laser Q-switched by a graphene-based saturable absorber

• DOI: 10.1364/oe.23.014108
• Publication Date: 2015-05-20T14:33:53Z
• Authors: Josep Maria Serres; Pavel Loiko; Xavier Mateos; Konstantin Yumashev; Uwe Griebner; Valentin Petrov; Magdalena Aguiló; Francesc Díaz
• Keywords: Optics and Photonics; Light; Lasers; Thulium; 0103 physical sciences; Absorption, Radiation; Graphite; Lutetium; Tungsten Compounds; 01 natural sciences

We report on the first Tm-doped double tungstate microchip laser Q-switched with graphene using a Tm:KLu(WO4)2 crystal cut along the Ng dielectric axis. This laser generates a maximum average output power of 310 mW with a slope efficiency of 13%. At a repetition rate of 190 kHz the shortest pulses with 285 ns duration and 1.6 µJ energy are achieved.