Efficient Nd:YAG slab longitudinally pumped by diode lasers

An efficient scalable 1.06- mu m continuous-wave (CW) Nd:YAG slab laser longitudinally pumped by diode lasers is discussed. The 809-nm diode radiation is focused into every laser channel emerging from the reflection points of the 1.06- mu m beam on the coated slab surfaces. A maximum CW TEM/sub 00/ output power of 675 mW has been obtained at a diode pump power of 2 W resulting in a slope efficiency of 40%.<
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