251 fs pulse generation with a Nd3+-doped Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 disordered crystal
Abstract
A diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Nd:Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 disordered crystal laser has been investigated for the first time, to our knowledge. The passive mode locking of the laser is initiated with a semiconductor saturable absorption mirror (SESAM). Stable mode-locked pulses with 251 fs pulse width, 87 MHz repetition rate, and 37 mW average output power have been demonstrated.