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Abstract

We demonstrate a new and extremely compact design for a directly
diode-pumped Yb:glass laser oscillator that is used as femtosecond
light source for supercontinuum generation. The laser is capable of
generating femtosecond pulses of 150 fs and pulse energies up to 39 nJ
at a repetition rate of 20 MHz. By using a Herriott-type multi-pass
cell, 70 % of the total resonator length are folded to only 30 cm. With
off-the-shelf components, our setup has a footprint of 62 x 23 cm(2).
Using smaller mechanical components, the size can easily be further
decreased. In combination with a tapered fiber, the laser forms a
cheap, stable, and compact femtosecond supercontinuum source with up to
400 mW of average whitelight power. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.