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 to1.7-W), average slope efficiency of approximate to34%, pulse duration of about 14-16 ns, and modulation frequency ranging from 2.4 to 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. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.