Efficient high-power diode-end-pumped TEM/sub 00/ Nd:YVO4 laser

We demonstrate a compact and efficient diode-end-pumped TEM/sub 00/ laser with output power of 25.2 W for 52 W of incident pump power by use of a single YVO/sub 4/ crystal with a Nd concentration of 0.3 at.%. In Q-switched operation 21-W of average power at a pulse repetition rate of 100 kHz and /spl sim/1.1-mT pulse energy at a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz were produced. At 10 kHz, the pulse width is around 10 ns and the peak power is higher than 100 kW.