DIODE-PUMPED ND-YLF ALL-IN-ONE LASER

A high-power longitudinally end-diode-pumped Nd:YLF all-in-one laser h as been constructed and tested. The compact single-cavity laser genera tes pulses with durations of 28 ps. Pulse energies of similar to 120 o r similar to 500 mu J are measured at a 1-kHz repetition rate when the all-in-one laser is pumped with a 3- or 15-W diode laser, respectivel y. Controlled prelasing is utilized to prevent the buildup of large-am plitude relaxation oscillations and to minimize the prelasing leakage. Pulse shaping in the all-in-one laser is analyzed in terms of the Kui zenga-Siegman theory.