Kerr lens mode locking (KLM) is an efficient way, how to generate ultrashort laser pulses. Employment of the KLM in thin disk-based lasers allows for generation of high average power ultrashort pulses reaching megawatts of peak power without adoption of the chirped pulse amplification technique. We demonstrate a small KLM Yb:YAG thin disk laser generating 240 fs long pulses close to 21 MHz repetition rate, nearly diffraction-limited beam, and average power of several watts. Mode locking is achieved in a thin slab of undoped YAG material. Next scaling of the system to tens of watts in average power allows for development of a compact femtosecond laser for seeding of kW-class thin disk laser platform Perla, or direct industrial use.
Science Journal 