High-power single-mode diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser using a monolithic nonplanar ring resonator

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Single-frequency lasers are crucial for applications requiring precise wavelength control.
• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer efficiency and compactness.
• Nonplanar monolithic ring lasers (NMRLs) provide stable, single-frequency output.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate high-power, single-frequency output from diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers.
• To achieve high slope efficiency in NMRLs.
• To explore the capabilities of injection locking for power scaling and stable operation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser configuration.
• Employed a nonplanar monolithic ring laser design.
• Implemented injection locking techniques for multiple laser resonators.

Main Results:

• Achieved a 0.91-W TEM(00) output from a single-frequency diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
• Reported a 60% slope efficiency for a diffraction-limited, single-frequency 1.06-microm NMRL.
• Obtained 0.34 W of single-mode power by injection locking two 0.17-W NMRLs.
• Demonstrated actively controlled injection locking for sustained, indefinite periods.

Conclusions:

• Diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers and NMRLs are effective for generating high-quality, single-frequency output.
• Injection locking is a viable method for power scaling and enhancing the stability of single-frequency lasers.
• Actively controlled injection locking offers a pathway to continuous, long-term single-mode laser operation.