Experimental investigation of the 2.1-mu m single-mode Tm-Ho : KYF laser

We report on the development and comprehensive characterization of a room-temperature single-mode 2-mum Tm-Ho:KYF laser. A maximum CW output power of similar to70 mW at the central wavelength of 2.078 mum has been obtained. Using a 5-mm long intracavity birefringent filter the single-mode emission wavelength can be tuned over a range of similar to40 nm. Both frequency and relative intensity noise have been investigated showing a 1-ms emission linewidth of similar to600 kHz and an intensity noise spectrum that is quantum-noise limited for Fourier frequencies higher than 1 MHz.