Abstract

Greater than 12 W of average output power has been generated from a diode-pumped Yb:YAG cladding-pumped planar waveguide laser. The laser radiation developed is linearly polarized and diffraction limited in the guiding dimension. A slope efficiency of 0.5 W/W with a peak optical–optical conversion efficiency of 0.31 W/W is achieved. In a related structure, greater than 8 W of $Q$-switched average output power has been generated from a Nd:YAG cladding-pumped planar waveguide laser by incorporation of a ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{4+}:\mathrm{YAG}$ passive $Q$ switch monolithically into the waveguide structure. Pulse widths of 3 ns and pulse-repetition frequencies as high as 80 kHz have been demonstrated. A slope efficiency of 0.28 W/W with a peak optical–optical conversion efficiency of 0.21 W/W is achieved.

© 2001 Optical Society of America

End-pumped, passively Q-switched Yb:YAG double-clad waveguide laser

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