Thin-disk laser operation of Pr3+,Mg2+:SrAl12O19

We present first results in applying the thin-disk concept to lasers directly emitting in the visible spectral range. The pump light was provided by 24 InGaN laser diodes emitting 1W each at 444 nm, which were coupled into a 200 mu m fiber. A 300 mu m thin Pr3(+),Mg2+:SrAl12O19 crystal served as gain medium. In continuous-wave operation an output power of 0.88 W and a slope efficiency of 12% with respect to the absorbed pump power were achieved at an emission wavelength of 643.5 nm. Modulating the pump source at a duty cycle of 10% yielded an instantaneous output power of 1.67 W, corresponding to a slope efficiency of 26%. (C) 2014 Optical Society of America