HIGH-EFFICIENCY 1.06-MU-M OUTPUT IN A MONOLITHIC NDYVO4 LASER

A miniature 1.5-mm-long monolithic Nd:YVO4 laser was end pumped with a Ti-sapphire laser. The Nd-doping density was 3 at. %. The maximum out put power obtained with 885 mW of absorbed pump power was 495 mW at 1. 064 mum. The maximum slope efficiency was 57%, and the output power wa s only slightly dependent on pump polarization. Laser diode pumping wa s also demonstrated. Thermal effects were observed to reduce the outpu t power and required active cooling of the laser crystal.