Multi-wavelength diode-pumped Nd:LGGG picosecond laser

Laser operation near 1.06 mu m by a diode-pumped Nd:(Lu (x) Gd1-x )(3)Ga5O12 (Nd:LGGG) disordered crystal has been investigated. Cw oscillation, with a slope efficiency as high as 61% and 230 mW output power, was achieved with 400 mW absorbed power from a 1-W laser diode. Stable passive mode locking with single- or multi-banded spectrum was obtained with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SAM) and a single-prism, dispersion-compensated cavity. Fourier limited pulses with duration a parts per thousand 3-9 ps and output power a parts per thousand 40 mW were generated at three well-defined laser transitions in the range 1062-1067 nm.