Self-starting Kerr-lens mode locking of a Nd:YAG-laser

Abstract The operation of an end-pumped Kerr-lens mode-locked self-starting Nd:YAG laser is reported. Without an intracavity aperture near bandwidth-limited pulses with a pulse length of 6.7 ps were generated. The maximum average output power exceeded 675 mW at a repetition rate of 106 MHz and a pump power of 2 W.