Abstract

A simple, efficient diode-laser-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is described that produces 2.25-mJ, TEM₀₀, 4-ns pulses up to 90 Hz with only 20 mJ of pump power. The laser has a zigzag slab geometry, side pumped with only one high-power quasi-cw diode bar. This performance approaches that of longitudinal pumping, demonstrating TEM₀₀ mode operation with long-pulse and Q-switched slope efficiencies of 28% and 19%, respectively. Second-and fourth-harmonic efficiencies of >50% and >20% from 1064 nm without the use of external focusing optics were also demonstrated.

© 1995 Optical Society of America

40-W cw, TEM₀₀-mode, diode-laser-pumped, Nd:YAG miniature-slab laser

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