Gain switching of a monolithic single-frequency laser-diode-excited Nd:YAG laser

We report the use of gain switching to obtain 60 mW of single-longitudinal-mode peak output power from a laser-diode-excited monolithic Nd:YAG laser. The device is demonstrated to operate at repetition rates in excess of 1 kHz and exhibits a spectral linewidth of less than 8 MHz. This oscillator provides an ideal source for injection seeding of laboratory Nd:YAG laser systems.