2-ps passively mode-locked Nd:YVO4 laser using an output-coupling-type semiconductor saturable absorber mirror

We have demonstrated stable self-starting passive mode-locking in a diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). An In0.25Ga0.75As single quantum-well SESAM, which was grown by the metalorganic chemical-vapor deposition technique at low temperature, acts as a passive mode-locking device and an output coupler at the same time. Continuous-wave mode-locked transform-limited pulses were obtained at 1064 nm with a pulse duration of 2.1 ps and an average output power of 1.28 W at a repetition rate of 96.5 MHz.