Diode-pumped Yb:CALGO and Yb:KGW lasers

Continuous-wave performance of diode-pumped Yb:KGW and Yb:CALGO lasers was compared under the same experimental conditions. The maximum output power reached was >8 W for the Yb:KGW laser. Thermal lensing, however, showed large anisotropy along the horizontal and vertical axes. On the other hand, Yb:CALGO laser produced lower output power but exhibited negligible anisotropy in thermal lensing. Both crystals showed positive thermal lensing effect.