SINGLE-MODE 1.34-MU-M ND-YVO(4) MICROCHIP LASER WITH CW TI-SAPPHIRE AND DIODE-LASER PUMPING

We report cw single-mode output at 1.34 mum in a Nd:YVO4 microchip las er pumped separately with a Ti:sapphire laser and a diode laser in the region of 809 nm. The 0.5 mm x 1.0 mm x 1.0 mm Nd3+-doped YVO4 crysta l produced output powers as high as 60 mW with slope efficiencies as h igh as 40% and laser thresholds between 155 and 275 mW by use of a pum ped volume of approximately 150-mum diameter and 0.5-mm length. Data a re also presented for the laser's performance as a function of pump wa velength and for the spectral variation of the output with crystal tem perature.