Diode-pumped amplification of 7-picosecond-pulses with repetition-rates up to 100 kHz and 22 W average output power

In this paper, diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ amplifier system is described. It consists of an electro-optically switched regenerative amplifier and three subsequent two-pass amplifiers (booster). Laser pulses with a length of 10 ps at a center wavelength of 1064.4 nm and 0.55 nm bandwidth are emitted. A maximum output power of 22 W is achieved with repetition rates up to 100 kHz. At a repetition rate of 30 kHz the maximum pulse energy of 660 /spl mu/J is reached.