Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
10:17
20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Unidirectional single-mode Nd:YAG laser with a planar semimonolithic ring cavity
J R Park1, T H Yoon, M S Chung
1Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Kusongdong, Yusong-gu, Taejon 305-701, Korea. s_jrpark@cais.kaist.ac.kr
Applied Optics
|March 8, 2008
Summary
This study demonstrates unidirectional single-mode operation in a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser using a novel semimonolithic ring cavity. The optical diode design achieved 155 mW output power and a narrow linewidth for advanced laser applications.
Area of Science:
- Lasers and Photonics
- Solid-State Lasers
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSS) are crucial for various applications.
- Achieving stable, unidirectional single-mode operation is essential for high-precision laser systems.
- Ring cavities offer advantages for single-mode operation but require effective isolation mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate unidirectional single-mode operation of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
- To develop and characterize a novel planar semimonolithic ring cavity.
- To investigate the performance of an integrated optical diode within the laser cavity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a diode-pumped Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser.
- Constructed a planar semimonolithic ring cavity incorporating a Faraday rotator, polarization rotator, and partial polarizer.
- Employed a 1.2-W diode laser at 809 nm for pumping the Nd:YAG gain medium.
- Measured output power, slope efficiency, and laser linewidth using spectral analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable unidirectional single-mode operation at 1064 nm.
- Obtained a maximum single-mode output power of 155 mW with a slope efficiency of 17%.
- Inferred a laser linewidth below 100 kHz and demonstrated continuous tuning capability exceeding 2 GHz.
Conclusions:
- The planar semimonolithic ring cavity effectively functions as an optical diode, enabling unidirectional single-mode laser operation.
- The demonstrated Nd:YAG laser system offers high performance metrics suitable for applications requiring narrow linewidth and tunability.
- This integrated approach provides a compact and efficient solution for advanced laser sources.
