YAG laser operation by semiconductor laser pumping

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser operation has been achieved using a single gallium arsenide laser diode as the pump. Repetition rates of 200 pulses per second have been achieved in initial experiments. Compared to flashlamp pumping, semiconductor laser pumping requires less. than 5 percent of the light energy to accomplish YAG lasing. Extraordinary repeatability of laser output, pulse to pulse, has been obtained.