Abstract

We have developed a new edge-pumped thin slab configuration laser that generates over 200 W average power from 0.8 at% Nd:YAG in a near diffraction limited beam (M² < 1.5). This performance is achieved with 30% optical-to-optical conversion efficiency (808 nm to 1064 nm) using a stable-unstable hybrid resonator with variable reflectivity mirror. To our knowledge, this combination of output power, beam quality and efficiency is the highest reported to date for a compact diode-pumped solid state laser.

© 2002 Optical Society of America