Continuous-wave and Q-switched laser operation of Yb:NaY(WO_4)_2 crystal

Diode-pumped continuous-wave (cw) and Q-switched laser operations were demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, with a disordered Yb:NaY(WO(4))(2) crystal. A cw output power of 5.2 W at 1045 nm was generated with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 37%. The slope efficiency in the absence of thermal losses was 50%. With a Cr(4+):YAG saturable absorber to passively Q-switch the laser, an average output power of 2.0 W was obtained with a slope efficiency of 35%. The output pulse energy, duration, and peak power were 145 muJ, 26 ns, and 5.6 kW, respectively.