Simultaneous dual-wavelength operation of Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser at 1524 nm and undoped GdVO4 Raman laser at 1522 nm

A diode-pumped, actively Q-switched dual-wavelength laser employing Nd:YVO4 self-Raman emission at 1524 nm and undoped GdVO4 Raman emission at 1522 nm is demonstrated. With a pump power of 21.5 W and pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz, a maximum dual-wavelength output power of 1.62 W was obtained, comprising a 0.54 W, 1522 nm Raman component and 1.08 W, 1524 nm self-Raman component. The corresponding dual-wavelength Raman pulse width was 5.6 ns. The experimental results indicate that this laser, with quite small wavelength separation, was effective by virtue of simultaneous self-Raman and Raman shifts. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America