Laser diode-pumped internally folded Nd:YAG laser

A diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser in which the gain element is fabricated in the shape of an isosceles right-angle prism is described. An orthogonal face forms the highly reflective end of the resonator, while the hypotenuse serves as an internal fold mirror. Scaling was demonstrated by pumping the gain element along three axes simultaneously. The maximum power obtained was 1.3 W at 1.06 mu m and 128 mW at 532 nm. Repetitive Q-switched operation is also reported.<
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