Performance of an Yb:LaCa4O(BO3)3 crystal laser at 1.03–1.04 μm passively Q-switched with 2D MoTe2 saturable absorber.

• Q-switching performance of Yb:LaCOB crystal laser is investigated for the first time. • Pulsed radiation in 2-W level is produced in passively Q-switched action with 2D MoTe 2. • Maximum pulse energy of 6.6 μJ is generated. The passive Q-switching performance of an Yb:LaCa 4 O(BO 3) 3 crystal laser was investigated for the first time to our knowledge. Stable repetitively pulsed laser action was demonstrated with a 2D MoTe 2 saturable absorber under high output couplings ranging from 70% up to 95%. A maximum pulsed output power of 2.11 W was produced at a repetition rate of 357 kHz, with a slope efficiency of 32% in terms of incident pump power. The largest pulse energy, minimum pulse duration, and highest peak power achievable were, respectively, 6.6 μJ, 103 ns, and 52.4 W. Our work suggests that this relatively new monoclinic oxyborate crystal may be more advantageous over most of other Yb-ion materials in making high-energy pulsed lasers passively Q-switched with 2D saturable absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]