Compact and efficient single-frequency Nd : YVO/sub 4/ laser with variable longitudinal-mode discrimination

We show for the first time that the longitudinal-mode discrimination in a birefringently filtered laser can be tuned through the variation of the waveplating action of the gain crystal. In this way, the laser can be optimized for either high intermodal discrimination or for frequency tuning with reduced output power rolloff. Up to 760 mW of single-frequency 1064-nm output is obtained from a compact diode-pumped source that can be frequency chirped over 6.5 GHz.