Abstract

We present novel variants of the dual-configuration resonator (DCR). With Nd:YVO₄ crystals 9.5 W of polarised output at 27 W of pump power were demonstrated in a unidirectional ring configuration. A miniaturised version of the DCR with Nd:YAG as gain medium produced single-frequency output. In cw operation, 4.5 W at 24 W of pump power with 30% slope efficiency were demonstrated. In actively Q-switched operation, 0.3 mJ/37 ns single-frequency pulses were generated at 18 W of pump power and a repetition rate of 100 Hz using a prelase technique. From a matchbox-sized Nd:YAG resonator 10.5 W of output power with M²=3.2 at 27 W of pump power and 8 W of TEM₀₀ output at 24 W of pump power were measured.

© 2001 Optical Society of America