The first operation of a CW diode pumped Nd:YAG laser in the 1.44 mu m
spectral region is reported. The measured oscillating wavelength and
linewidth were 1.4432 mu m and similar to 0.4nm, respectively, Q-switc
hing of the laser was also performed and 600 ns, 8 mu J pulses were ob
tained at 1.8kHz repetition rate.