Direct pumping of Nd:YAG at 946nm

This work aims to reduce the quantum defect between the pump and the lase photons of the Nd:YAG laser. Direct pumping of the 4 level laser system using a Ti:sapphire laser as the pumping source is obtained at 946 nm from the
⁴
I
_11/2
level directly to the
⁴
F
_3/2
upper lasing level followed by lasing at 1064 nm. The quantum defect in this pumping scheme is just 11% compared to 17% and 24% in 885 nm and 808 nm pumping wavelengths, respectively.