Directly diode-pumped Colquiriite regenerative amplifiers

The Colquiriite crystals are attractive materials for directly diode-pumped femtosecond oscillators and amplifiers. Cr:LiSAF, Cr:LiSGAF and Cr:LiCAF are for the first time directly compared for their use in regenerative amplifiers both experimentally and theoretically. A maximum pulse energy of 10 μJ was obtained at an absorbed pump power of 1.1 W. A review of the work is given including a Cr:LiSAF seed oscillator, outlining specific needs for seeding.