Max Phase Chromium–Titanium–Aluminum Carbide for Ultrafast Laser Generation in the 1.55 μm Range

We formally generate picosecond laser pulses in an Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) by incorporating a new type of a saturable absorber (SA) with Chromium–Titanium–Aluminum carbide (Cr₂TiAlC₂). The SA film is prepared by a casting method, using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a host. The novel ultrafast laser operates at 1559.96 nm; the laser pump power range is 164 – 305 mW. Using a 90 : 10 output coupler, the designed laser produces a pulse duration of 2.04 ps and a repetition rate of 1.855 MHz. We obtain a maximum output power of 3.2 mW and a pulse energy of 1.72 nJ at a maximum laser pump power of 305 mW. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a Cr₂TiAlC₂-based SA is used to produce ultrashort laser pulses.