Highly efficient, diode-bar-end-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with 11 W TEM/sub 00/ output

Summary form only given. In conclusion, we have demonstrated diode-bar-pumped Nd:YAG laser resonators with 11 W of polarized TEM/sub oo/ mode output power, both in cw and Q-switched modes. High optical efficiencies were achieved for fundamental mode operation in spite of the presence of large, pump-induced, nonparabolic phase aberrations and the presence of thermal birefringence.