Directly Single-Diode-Pumped Continuous-Wave Yb(3+):YAG Laser Tunable in the 1047-1051-nm Wavelength Range

We have demonstrated tunability in a wavelength range of 1047-1051 nm, using the lowest pumping power known to us (1.4 W at 972 nm), for a cw single-diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser. The output power was 166 mW in the multimode regime and 73 mW in the fundamental transverse-mode regime. The laser efficiency was 12.8% and 21% with respect to the incident and the absorbed pump powers, respectively. The linewidth of the laser was Dlambda = 0.05-0.07 cm(-1) (1.5-2.1 GHz), which corresponds to two to three longitudinal cavity modes. A theoretical model of the laser has been developed. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical model.