Power scaling of a self-mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser

A typical self-mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser must operate at the edge of stable region resonant cavity. Its minimal pump spot on gain chip is used as a soft aperture. By comparing with continuous-wave (CW) laser, pulsed focused more tightly due to Kerr-lens effect. This mitigates cavity loss in comparison CW such that successive mode-locking can be initiated. The disadvantage above method relatively small spot, producing large thermal effect, limits output power laser. To address this issue, we propose another work point moved slightly from and moderately extended, could smaller or larger than We achieve self-mode-locking record average 8.18 W V-type resonator, limited by applied power. pulse repetition rate width are 0.71 GHz 1.92 ps, respectively, corresponding peak 5.6 kW.