Development of a diode-pumped high-power continuous-wave Yb:LLF laser

Diode-pumped efficient continuous-wave Yb:LLF (Yb:LiLuF4) laser was demonstrated with output power in the multiwatt range. The laser operated in the fundamental mode and produced up to 7.7 W of output power. The laser showed record high 64% of optical-to-optical efficiency and up to 73% slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power. Laser wavelength tuning range was found to be >40 nm around the central wavelength of 1053 nm.