Simultaneous Q-switched orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength Yb^3+:GdMgB_5O_10 laser

We report a compact, simultaneous actively Q-switched orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength laser realized with a Yb3+:GdMgB5O10 (Yb:GMB) crystal for the first time. The two wavelengths of the laser were 1059.2 nm and 1060.8 nm. No additional optical elements were needed to balance the gain-to-loss of the dual-wavelength emissions. A maximum output power of 2.5 W was obtained at a repetition rate of 30 kHz, where the output powers of wavelengths at 1059.2 nm and 1060.8 nm were 1.23 W and 1.27 W, respectively. For a repetition rate of 10 kHz, the narrowest pulse width of 36 ns was achieved, corresponding to the highest peak power of 4.59 kW. The advantages of the good absorption efficiency, the natural balanced output powers of two wavelengths and the ideal average output power show that the Yb:GMB is an efficient and promising gain medium for generating the orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength laser.