Passively Q-switched mode locking performance of Nd:GdTaO_4 crystal by MoS_2 saturable absorber at 1066  nm

Passively Q-switched mode-locking performance of Nd:GdTaO_4 crystal using molybdenum disulfide (MoS_2) as a saturable absorber at 1066 nm was demonstrated for the first time. The MoS_2 saturable absorber was prepared simply by transferring the MoS_2 suspension onto a quartz substrate. By inserting the MoS_2 saturable absorber into the Nd:GdTaO_4 laser, stable Q-switched modelocked operation can be achieved. At the pump power of 4 W, the maximum average output power of 0.156 W was obtained with the optical conversion efficiency of 3.9%.