Continuous-wave and self-starting passively mode-locked broadband Cr4+:YAG laser system

We have developed a continuous-wave and self-starting passively mode-locked broadband laser system based on Cr4+:YAG crystal. The laser wavelength in the cw mode is tunable in the 1.34 - 1.56 micrometers region with one mirror set. For pulsed operation, the technique relies on the passive mode-locking that arise from the saturable Bragg reflector. The cavity design incorporates the one intracavity prism configuration. We demonstrate self- starting and stable subpicosecond pulses of about 400 fs widely tunable from 1420 to 1510 nm with an output power as high as 230 mW.