Efficient laser operation of Yb:Lu3Ga5O12 garnet crystal

Efficient laser operation is demonstrated at room temperature with a new Yb:Lu3Ga5O12 garnet crystal. A continuous-wave output power of 5.36 W is generated at a center oscillation wavelength of 1041 nm, with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 51% and the slope efficiency of 63%. In passively Q-switched operation, the maximum average output power reaches 4.0W (center wavelength of 1034 nm) at a repetition rate of 71 kHz, with optical-to-optical and slope efficiencies measured to be 40% and 50%, respectively. Laser pulses of 26 ns duration are generated with a pulse energy of 91 mu J and peak power of 3.5 kW. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America