Abstract
We recently demonstrated the first continuously pumped and passively mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL).1 This laser was mode-locked with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM).2,3 Initially achieved average output powers were around 20° mW, but the concept of the optically pumped VECSEL has a potential for much higher powers. Indeed we recently demonstrated 200° mW in 3.2-ps pulses,4 and now we present as much as 950° mW in 15-ps pulses. The repetition rate was also increased to 6° GHz. The output powers are by far higher than previously achieved with mode-locked semiconductor lasers, except when oscillator/amplifier configurations were used.5,6 Such powers make these devices attractive for applications like single-pass frequency conversion (e.g. frequency doubling for blue light) or optical clocking of integrated circuits.
© 2002 Optical Society of America
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