Compact, efficient diode-end-pumped Tm:Sc2SiO5 2 μm laser

Efficient laser emission at 2 μm is demonstrated from Tm:Sc2SiO5 crystal under end-pumping with a continuous wave (cw) diode laser at 790 nm. A maximum output power of 1.02 W is obtained for the incident pump power of 6.78 W, corresponding to an optical-to-optical efficiency with respect to the incident pump power of 14.7%. At this output level the spectrum of emission was centered at 1976 nm with a broad bandwidth of 28 nm. The laser slope efficiency with respect to the incident pump power was 16.1%. Influence of the output mirror transmittance or of the Tm:Sc2SiO5 crystal temperature on the laser output performance is investigated.

► We demonstrated a diode-end-pumped efficient cw Tm:Sc2SiO5 laser oscillating at 2 μm.
► The performance of the laser is investigated under different experimental conditions.
► The maximum output power of 1.02 W and the slope efficiency η=16.1% were obtained.