Abstract

Intracavity frequency doubling of the 946-nm Nd:YAG laser is an attractive method for generating blue light at 473 nm.^1-4 Although similar in many respects to intracavity-doubled, diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers at 532 nm, these devices are at a much more primitive stage of development because of due the lack of a robust nonlinear crystal with the appropriate phase-matching properties and adequate nonlinearity. KNbO₃ combines excellent nonlinearity with the possibility of noncritical phase-matching at elevated temperatures. However, problems associated with depoling under stress and/or temperature cycling have made it difficult to use this crystal for devices that must operate outside of the laboratory environment.

© 1995 Optical Society of America