SESAM-free mode-locked semiconductor disk laser

Experimental demonstration of semiconductor saturable absorber-free mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor disk laser is presented. The origin of pulsed operation is attributed to the intensity dependent Kerr lens effect arising in the semiconductor gain medium. Achieved results represent a novel method to mode-lock this type of laser opening new application opportunities. The laser worked stably in both hard and soft aperture configurations. No semiconductor saturable absorber was used in the laser cavity and the operation was self-starting. The laser was mode-locked at 210 MHz repetition rate with 1.5 W average output power and 930 fs pulse width at 985 nm. A record high 6.8 kW peak power was achieved. Measured data is presented along with a discussion of the Kerr lens effect in the cavity.