Abstract

We have developed configurations of diode-bar-pumped Nd:YVO₄ lasers that generate up to 13.8 W of TEM₀₀ output (M² ~ 1.05) with over 50% optical conversion efficiency. To our knowledge, this is the highest average power achieved to date with Nd:YVO₄ as the active medium. Additionally, this is the highest conversion efficiency reported to date for a diode-bar-pumped TEM₀₀ laser with over 10 W output power. We have also developed an acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YVO₄ laser with ~3 W output power. We have generated the green and UV harmonics of this laser via SHG and THG in LBO, resulting in 1.5 W at 532 nm and 0.65 W at 355 nm at repetition rates of 20 kHz. The excellent spatial quality and short pulse durations result in high nonlinear conversion efficiencies (~50% for SHG and >20% for THG) even at high repetition rates.

© 1995 Optical Society of America