Efficient and compact orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength Nd:YVO4 laser at 1342 and 1345 nm

Based on a free-running diode-end-pumped a-cut Nd:YVO4 laser with output power of 3.61 W at a single wavelength of pi-polarized 1342 nm, we further obtain a 1.82 W sigma-polarized 1345 nm laser with a slope efficiency of about 22.3% by introducing an intracavity etalon, for the first time to the best of our knowledge. In addition, a simultaneous dual-wavelength orthogonally polarized laser at pi-polarized 1342 nm and sigma-polarized 1345 nm can also be achieved with a maximum output power of 1.35 W. The dual-wavelength laser provides a potential laser source for terahertz wave generation. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America