Abstract

Broadband Kerr-lens mode locking is demonstrated at greatly reduced mode-locking strength with a gain-matched output coupler that compensates for gain filtering. Already at very low pump powers, slightly above the cw lasing threshold, we are able to initiate robust mode locking and generate $<8\mathrm{fs}$ output pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser with good beam quality. Because dielectric coatings offer flexible design capabilities, this approach is applicable to various lasers with different gain media to extract pulses covering the full gain spectrum with minimum saturable absorber action.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

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