All-solid-state Cr : forsterite laser generating 14-fs pulses at 1.3 mu m

We report the generation of 14-fs pulses at 1.3 mum with 80-mW average powe r at 100-MHz repetition rate by an all-solid-state Kerr-lens mode-locked Cr :forsterite laser. The laser spectrum covers wavelengths of 1230-1580 nm, w ith a FWHM of 250 nm. Since 1.3-mum wavelengths are dose to the zero disper sion wavelength of Cr:forsterite, higher-order dispersion is the main facto r limiting pulse durations. We use specially designed and fabricated double -chirped mirrors in combination with high-index PBH71 prisms to compensate for the intracavity dispersion over almost 300 nm. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.