Abstract

Passively modelocked optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers (SDLs) [1] based on InGaAs quantum wells (QWs) such as vertical external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs) or modelocked integrated surface-emitting lasers (MIXSELs) are an appealing ultrafast laser technology for applications that require compelling combinations of short femtosecond pulses and gigahertz pulse repetition rates. Recent development of pulse shortening strategies resulted in record-short 107-fs pulses from a VECSEL [2] and 253-fs pulses from a MIXSEL [3]. However, this progress in shorter pulse durations has come with the trade-off of significantly lower optical-to-optical pump efficiency even below 1% and only moderate average output power of around 100 mW so far.

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