Diode-laser-pumped 1.328-mum Nd:Sr(5)(PO(4))(3) F laser and its intracavity frequency doubling

Nd:Sr(5) (PO(4))(3) F, known as Nd:S-FAP, is a new material for efficient, miniature diode-pumped solid-state lasers. By using a laser-diode pump operating at 805.4 nm, we successfully lased Nd:S-FAP at 1.328 mum. A slope efficiency of 33.5% and a laser threshold of 18.5 mW have been measured. By using KTP as an intracavity doubling crystal, we also achieved an intracavity frequency Nd:S-FAP laser at 0.664 mum with a threshold power of 18.2 mW, a TEM(00) mode red laser output power of 20.7 mW at 250 mW incident pump power corresponding to an optical efficiency of 8.3%. In addition, we discuss ways to improve efficiency by use of this material.