Passively Q-switched Ho:YLF laser pumped by Tm3+-doped fiber laser

We demonstrate a compact and efficient passively Q-switched (PQS) Ho:YLF laser pumped by a self-made all-fiber laser. Firstly, we design and make an all-fiber laser operating at 1940 nm with a slope efficiency of 40.6%. Then, the all-fiber laser was used to pump Ho:YLF laser directly. In the CW (continues-wave) operation Ho:YLF laser, the maximum output power was 7.79 W, corresponding to the slope efficiency of 55.2%. Using Cr2+:ZnS as the saturable absorber, the average power of 6.03 W was achieved with the slope efficiency of 45.9%. The shortest pulse duration was 15.6 ns and the pulse repetition frequency was 23 kHz at the pump power of 20.4 W. The pulse energy was a constant as 2.7 mJ when the pump power exceeded 15 W. The beam quality factor of M-2 was 1.05, indicating nearly diffraction limited beam propagation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.