Abstract

Using two high-brightness laser diodes as pump sources, brightness-maintaining focusing optics, and an A-FPSA [1,2] as a low loss saturable absorber, we obtained 144 mW output power cw and 27 mW modelocked with a pulsewidth of 96 fs (Fig. 1). This demonstrates more than twice the output power with less than half the pulsewidth of previously published diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF [3]. Additionally, this is the first demonstration of the A-FPSA applied to the wavelength around 830 nm. Kerr lensing effects are not contributing to the modelocking at these power levels, and the A-FPSA is responsible for both self-starting and femtosecond pulse formation.

© 1994 Optical Society of America