COMPACT DISPERSION-COMPENSATING GEOMETRY FOR KERR-LENS MODE-LOCKED FEMTOSECOND LASERS

We demonstrate a new technique for dispersion compensation in Kerr-lens mode-locked (KLM) lasers that uses a novel resonator design in conjunction with a prismatic end mirror. This approach achieves intracavity dispersion compensation without the need for prism pairs or dispersion-compensating mirrors. A pulse-repetition rate of 1 GHz, to our knowledge the highest repetition rate achieved in a KLM laser to data, is generated with a pulse durations of 111 fs. Pulse durations of 54 fs are achieved at a repetion rate of 385 MHz. We believe that this new dispersion-compensation technique will be useful for the development of compact femtosecond sources.