High-power, rare-earth-doped crystal amplifier based on ultra-low-quantum-defect pumping scheme Uti

A high average and peak power single transverse mode laser system is operative to output ultrashort single mode (SM) pulses in femtosecond-, picosecond- or nanosecond-pulse duration range at a kW to MW peak power level. The disclosed system deploys master oscillator power amplifier configuration (MOPA) including a SM fiber seed, outputting a pulsed signal beam at or near 1030 nm wavelength, and a Yb crystal booster. The booster is end-pumped by a pump beam output from a SM or low-mode CW fiber laser at a pump wavelength in a 1000-1020 nm wavelength range so that the signal and pump wavelengths are selected to have an ultra-low-quantum defect of less than 3%.