CW laser oscillations and tuning characteristics of neodymium-doped lithium niobate crystals

We have obtained over 250 mW of CW laser emission at 1084 nm from a neodymium-doped single crystal of lithium niobate when the rod was end pumped by 1 W from a Kr+ laser at 752 nm. Thresholds of less than 30 mW are obtained with a weak output coupler, rising to 220 mW with a 35 percent transmitting output mirror. The laser could be tuned over 3 nm around the peak at 1084.4 nm with a thin, uncoated etalon in the cavity.