High-Peak-Power Sub-Nanosecond Mode-Locking Pulses Generated by a Dual-Loss-Modulated QML Laser with AOM and SnSe2

Abstract

In order to investigate the pulse modulation potential of SnSe2 in all-solid-state lasers, an active and passive dual-loss-modulated (APDM) Q-switched and mode-locking (QML) Nd:YVO4 laser was realized by employing an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) and a 5.9 nm thick SnSe2 saturable absorber (SA). The significant pulse compression ability of SnSe2 film was found experimentally, and sub-nanosecond mode-locking pulses with large peak power were obtained. The average output power, pulse energy, and pulse width versus the pump power were measured. With a pump power of 8.5 W, 242 ps mode-locking pulses with a pulse peak power of 231.4 kW were realized successfully. The experimental results also show that the SnSe2-based APDM QML laser has great potential in generating sub-nanosecond pulses with large peak power and high stability.