Yb:CaF2-YF3 transparent ceramics ultrafast laser at dual gain lines

Yb3+:CaF2-YF3 transparent ceramics with excellent optical quality was successfully fabricated by hot-pressed method. Pulsed laser properties of this ceramics were investigated for the first time. Laser diode (LD) was applied as the pump source to generate a dual-wavelength mode-locked (ML) laser. The maximum average output power was 310 mW, which represents the highest output power of ultrafast calcium fluoride ceramic laser. The spectrum separated at 1048.9 nm and 1049.7 nm with a total pulse duration of 8.9 ps. The interval period between the beating signals was about 4.3 ps, corresponding to a 0.23 THz beat pulse repetition rate. These results demonstrate its potential in producing dual-wavelength ultrashort pulses. These Yb3+:CaF2-YF3 ceramics with low-cost and short-preparation period are ideal candidate materials for ultrafast lasers.