Diode pumped Nd:YAG laser passively Q-switched with V/sup 3+/:YAG

We demonstrate an efficient Q-switched laser with V/sup 3+/:YAG pumped by a 10 W fiber diode bar. In preliminary experiments we limited the scope of investigation to Nd:YAG laser working at 1064 nm. As a pump source a 10 W fiber coupled diode SDL 3450-P5 was applied.