Broadband, diode pumped Yb:SiO₂ multicomponent glass laser

Fabrication, spectroscopic properties, and laser performance of a Yb:SiO₂ multicomponent glass have been investigated in this paper. The glass system composed of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and La₂O₃ excels in terms of a high thermal stress resistance compared to other laser glasses. The laser experiments were conducted with a 3.4 mm thick and 0.9 mol. % Y₂O₃ doped sample. A maximum slope efficiency of 51%, a maximum optical to optical efficiency of 42%, and a tuning range from 1010–1090 nm was realized. Due to the promising laser properties and a straightforward fabrication technique it may well qualify as an alternative gain medium in high-energy, ultrashort pulse laser systems.