Room-temperature diode-pumped Yb:KYF4 laser

ontinuous-wave laser action has been demonstrated in a diode-pumped Yb:KYF4 crystal. Crystal growth, spectroscopic measurements, and laser results are presented. A maximum output power of 505mW, a slope efficiency of 43%, and a continuous wavelength tunability range of 65 nm, from 1013 to 1078 nm, have been obtained at room temperature.