Abstract

We demonstrate a cw, diode-pumped-$\mathrm{Nd}:{\mathrm{YVO}}_4$ laser oscillator in a self-starting, adaptive loop configuration producing 20 W of phase-conjugate output for 66 W of diode pumping. The beam quality is ${\mathrm{TEM}}_{00}$ with a beam quality factor ${\mathrm{M}}^2\simeq 1.1$ despite strong thermally-induced lensing in the amplifier. An additional amplifier was introduced inside the adaptive oscillator, scaling the power to 33 W of phase-conjugate output with a total diode-pumping power of 103 W. A discussion is presented of the cavity stability and optimization of the phase-conjugation efficiency, including the use of relay-imaging optics.

© 2003 Optical Society of America

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