Performance of diode-end-pumped Cr4+, Nd3+ :YAG self Q switched and Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG diffusion bonded lasers

Self passively Q-switching of a diode-pumped Cr,Nd:YAG, where the Cr4+ is used as a saturable absorber for the 1064 nm laser emission is reported. The maximum average output power was obtained using an output coupler of R=86%. The self Q-switched diode pumped laser yielded 1.86-W average output power with low threshold pumping power (approximate to 1.7-W), average slope efficiency of approximate to34%, pulse duration of about 14-16 nsec, and modulation frequency ranging from 2.4 kHz -73 kHz, depending on the input pumping power. These results are the highest reported,for self Q-switched lasers. Higher slope efficiency (42%) and shorter Q-switched pulses were obtained for a Q-switched Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG diffusion bonded laser. A comparison of the codoped Cr,Nd:YAG laser performance, with that of a diffusion bonded laser is reported and analyzed.