Abstract

We describe a diode-pumped, passively $Q$-switched 2 μm Tm:YAP laser generating 10.5 W of average power. The laser utilized a ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{2+}\text{:}\mathrm{ZnS}$ saturable absorber with a nonsaturated transmission ($T_0$) of 90% and exhibited a record 46% optical slope efficiency and a 42% overall optical conversion efficiency, both measured relative to the incident 794 nm pump power. At maximum average output power, the laser generated 0.6 mJ $Q$-switched pulses with a maximum peak power of 32 kW. Pulse duration varied between 20 and 53 ns, depending on operating wavelength and pump power. A laser with a $T_0=80\%$ saturable absorber generated 1.45 mJ $Q$-switched pulses with a peak power of 138 kW.

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