The spectroscopic and laser kinetic properties of the trivalent ytterbium ion in various solid-state media are reviewed. Contrasts between four- and quasi-three-level lasers (e.g., Nd:YAG versus Yb:YAG) are highlighted. Various architectures suitable for use in high-brightness high-power Yb:YAG lasers are examined, and achieved laser performance levels are summarized. The properties of alternative ytterbium-doped laser gain media are reviewed, and early laser results are cited.

Ytterbium solid-state lasers. The first decade

Ytterbium solid-state lasers: The first decade

Out of the blue: semiconductor laser pumped visible rare-earth doped lasers

We discuss mode-locking of low-gain solid-state lasers using a semiconductor saturable Bragg reflector structure. This recently developed low-loss mode-locking device consists of a single quantum well which acts as a saturable absorber incorporated into a high-reflectivity Bragg mirror. Highly stable mode-locking in solid-state lasers results from an ultrafast transient reflectivity in the device that is caused by saturation of the excitonic absorption in near-resonant conditions.

http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/bitstream/REPOSIP/95653/1/2-s2.0-0030229999.pdf

Mode-locking ultrafast solid-state lasers with saturable Bragg reflectors

This article aims to review the panoply of techniques for realising optical imaging through turbid media such as biological tissue It begins by briefly discussing optical scattering and outlines the various approaches that have been developed to image through scattering media including spatial filtering, time-gated imaging and coherence-based techniques The discussion includes scanning and wide-field techniques and concentrates on techniques to discriminate in favour of unscattered ballistic light although imaging with scattered light is briefly reviewed Wide-field coherence-gated imaging techniques are discussed in some detail with particular emphasis placed on techniques to achieve real-time high-resolution three-dimensional imaging including through turbid media, providing rapid whole-field acquisition and high depth and transverse spatial resolution images

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3727/36/14/201/pdf

Techniques for depth-resolved imaging through turbid media including coherence-gated imaging

We have observed true self-starting Kerr-lens mode locking in two distinct solid-state laser systems operating at room temperature by optimizing the cavity geometry to maximize the amplitude modulation with respect to the intracavity power variation. Pulses of 15 ps have been obtained from a Pr3+:YLF laser system operating at 607 nm, and 53-fs pulses have been obtained from Cr4+:YAG at 1.54 μm.

Self-starting Kerr-lens mode-locked femtosecond Cr(4+):YAG and picosecond Pr(3+):YLF solid-state lasers.

All-solid-state femtosecond sources in the near infrared

We report the passive mode locking of a Cr4+:YAG laser by use of a moving mirror and the generation of pulses as short as 70 fs by use of Kerr-lens mode locking. The intracavity dispersion has been measured, and the laser performance has been related to water absorption lines.

Passive mode locking and dispersion measurement of a sub-100-fs Cr 4+ :YAG laser

We describe a compact, self-mode-locked. Tunable (in the second telecommunications window) all-solid-state. Cr/sup ++/:forsterite laser generating transform limited sub 70 fs pulses.

Y. P. Tong

Papers

Self-starting Kerr-lens mode-locked femtosecond Cr(4+):YAG and picosecond Pr(3+):YLF solid-state lasers.

All-solid-state femtosecond sources in the near infrared

Passive mode locking and dispersion measurement of a sub-100-fs Cr 4+ :YAG laser

All-solid-state Kerr lens mode-locked Cr4+:forsterite laser

Multi-siting and mode locking in a Yb3+:CS-FAP laser