Abstract
A multipass Nd: YLF gain element is the basis of an efficient, near-diffraction-limited, laser that can be operated at 1047 nm either cw or Q-switched (Fig. 1). The design has particular significance because the combination of efficiency (>33% optical), power (>13 W), and beam quality (M2<1.2) has been obtained in a side-pumped geometry with a single pump-coupling lens per diode-laser bar. In addition, the output powers observed both in near-diffraction-limited operation and multimode (>16 W) are, to our knowledge, the highest powers reported to date for cw, diode-pumped Nd: YLF lasers.
© 1995 Optical Society of America
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