Power scalable TEM/sub 00/ CW Nd:YAG laser with thermal lens compensation

We present finite-element analysis and experimental results to validate our approach for building high-power single-mode Nd:YAG lasers. We show that the thermooptical and thermomechanical properties of a slab laser can be controlled. This is essential for the use of the proposed unstable resonator, We include demonstration of an efficient subscale laser operating at 20 W TEM/sub 00/.