A Ceramic Based Yb3+:YAG Laser

We report the performance of a laser based on a 9.8% doped ceramic Yb3+:YAG operating in quasi Continuous Wave (QCW) and in Continuous Wave (CW) at room temperature. The maximum output power of 9 W with a slope efficiency of 73% at 1030 nm was achieved in QCW. We investigated the problems originated from thermomechanical properties of the ceramic and we studied their effects on the laser per formance finding that either the slope efficiency or the laser threshold are thermallosses independent. Finally, we report a characterization of a low losses tunable cavity for several laser wavelengths.