Multi-GHz mode-locked Yb:YAG channel waveguide laser using SESAM and carbon nanotube saturable absorbers

Abstract

We demonstrated GHz modelocking of femtosecond-laser inscribed Yb:YAG channel waveguide lasers using SESAM and single-walled carbon nanotube saturable absorber. Sub-2-ps pulses at multi-GHz repetition rates are generated from a dispersion-managed compact laser cavity with watt-level output powers.