Passive mode-locking of multi-watt grazing-incidence Nd:GdVO/sub 4/ laser using a saturable Bragg reflector

Passive modelocking of a diode-pumped grazing-incidence Nd:GdVO/sub 4/ laser is reported for the first time to our knowledge. Mode-locked slope efficiencies of 30%, output powers up to 4.2 W and pulse durations down to 8.5 ps are reported.