Multipass pumped Nd-based thin-disk lasers: continuous-wave laser operation at 1.06 and 0.9 (mu)m with intracavity frequency doubling

摘要

The laser performances of the 1.06 (mu)m ~(4)F_(3/2) -> ~(4)I_(11/2) four-level transition and of the 0.9 (mu)m ~(4)F_(3/2) -> ~(4)I_(9/2) quasi-three-level transition were investigated using multipass pumped Nd-based media in thin-disk geometry. When pumping at 0.81 (mu)m into the ~(4)F_(5/2) level, continuous-wave laser operation was obtained with powers in excess of 10 W at 1.06 (mu)m, in the multiwatt region at 0.91 (mu)m in Nd:YVO_(4) and Nd:GdVO_(4), and at 0.95 (mu)m in Nd:YAG. Intracavity frequency-doubled Nd:YVO_(4) thin-disk lasers with output powers of 6.4 W at 532 nm and of 1.6 W at 457 nm were realized at this pumping wavelength. The pumping at 0.88 (mu)m, which is directed into the ~(4)F_(3/2) emitting level, was also employed, and Nd:YVO_(4) and Nd:GdVO_(4) thin-disk lasers with approx9 W output power at 1.06 (mu)m and visible laser radiation at 0.53 (mu)m with output power in excess of 4 W were realized. Frequency-doubled Nd:vanadate thin-disk lasers with deep blue emission at 0.46 (mu)m were obtained under pumping directly into the ~(4)F_(3/2) emitting level.