Abstract
Passively mode-locked diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) Nd:GdVO 4 laser by using a saturable output coupler (SOC) in stable two-mirror linear cavity design is demonstrated. The laser was pumped by low-power single laser diode without any active cooling and external optics. Robust CW mode-locked operation was obtained with a repetition of 150-250 MHz, the pulsewidth was 12 ps, the lowest threshold for CW mode-locked was 185 mW. The optimal condition is found when the laser provides the set of characteristics: low CW mode-locking threshold (∼260 mW), compact size (total cavity length 60 cm), good efficiency (∼20%), and very stable output. At the output power of 270 mW an average power fluctuations within ±2% for long-term operation was obtained. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2011.