Efficient 5-kW diode-pumped cw Nd:YAG rod laser

Summary form only given. High-power and high-efficiency all-solid-state lasers based on LD pumping are current subjects of active R&D. Multi-kW LD-pumped Nd:YAG laser systems are much expected as welding, cutting and drilling tools. In these applications, total efficiency is one of the most important key-factor. In this paper, first, we report the laser characteristics with 8-inch Nd:YAG rod, after that we discuss the stable and effective configuration of the multi-head oscillator.