Abstract

A directly diode-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr⁴⁺:YAG laser is demonstrated for what is to our knowledge the first time. Pulses as short as 65 fs with up to 30 mW average output power, at central wavelength of 1569 nm, were obtained at a repetition rate of 100 MHz. Low-loss chirped mirrors have been used for dispersion compensation up to the third order. Comparison with an Yb-fiber pumped configuration opens good prospective for improvement.

© 2004 Optical Society of America