Diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond Yb:(Y_0.9La_0.1)₂O₃ ceramic laser

We experimentally demonstrate a diode-pumped passively mode-locked femtosecond laser with Yb³⁺-doped yttrium lanthanum oxide ceramic. Mode-locking is achieved by using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror, and intracavity dispersion is compensated by a pair of SF6 prisms. Laser pulses as short as 357 fs at a central wavelength of 1 075 nm are obtained. The maximum average output power is 670 mW under 4.5 W of pumping power with a slope efficiency of 20%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the shortest pulse generated from Yb-doped yttrium lanthanum oxide ceramic lasers with a sub-500 fs pulse duration.