We present a diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) Yb:YVO4 laser exhibitingwavelength tunability from 986 nm to 1119 nm, corresponding to a broad tuning range of133 nm, one of the widest reported for any Yb-doped laser host. This performance was achievedby employing a low-loss, off-surface optic-axis birefringent filter, high-quality laser crystals,and optimized low-loss cavity optics, enabling smooth and stable wavelength tuning along bothprincipal polarization axes (E//a: 986-1084 nm and E//c: 995-1119 nm). The system deliversCW output powers up to 3.75 W, with slope and optical-to-optical efficiencies reaching 70%and 48%, respectively. These results highlight Yb:YVO4 as an attractive gain medium forapplications requiring broad tunability, compactness, and efficiency, such as ultrafast pulsegeneration, broadband spectroscopy, and high-energy amplifier seeding.
Kärtner et al. (Wed,) studied this question.