Abstract

Lateral diode pumping of c-axis Nd:YLF rather than the more conventional a-axis Nd: YLF has proven to be highly efficient. Total optical to optical conversion efficiency of 38% with a slope efficiency of 41% has been achieved at an output pulse energy of 127 mJ for long pulse, multi-transverse mode lasing at 1.053 μm. Q-switched, TEM₀₀ operation was demonstrated with pulse energies up to 47 mJ having a conversion efficiency of 14% and a slope efficiency of 19%. Laser performance of a c-axis rod was superior to that of an a-axis rod in controlled experiments.

© 1993 Optical Society of America