Full investigation into continuous-wave Nd:LuAG lasers on 4F3/2→4I13/2 transition around 1.3 and 1.4 μm

We report a full investigation of continuous-wave diode-pumped Nd:LuAG single crystal lasers on F-4(3/2)-> I-4(13/2) transition around 1.3 and 1.4 mu m. In free-running mode, a maximum output power of 4.18 W is achieved for a simultaneous dual-wavelength laser operation at 1321 and 1338 nm, which represents the highest output power for Nd:LuAG laser material at a 1.3 mu m emission band. Three single wavelength lasers at 1340, 1332 and 1322 nm, as well as a dual-wavelength laser at 1334 and 1338 nm, are also generated with maximum output powers of 2.39, 2.63, 2.24 and 1.23 W, respectively, with the aid of a glass etalon. Moreover, a single wavelength laser at 1353 nm is also obtained with a maximum output power of 1.53 W. Furthermore, in free-running mode, simultaneous tri-wavelength eye-safe lasers at 1419, 1432 and 1442 nm are attained with a maximum output power of 1.83 W, and a 1.08 W single wavelength laser at 1419 nm is also yielded. Most of the 1.3 mu m lasers and all of the 1.4 mu m lasers are demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge. Thus, this work indicates that Nd: LuAG crystal is a very promising laser gain medium for high-power continuous-wave infrared laser generation. (C) 2016 Optical Society of America