40-W cw, TEM(00)-mode, diode-laser-pumped, Nd:YAG miniature-slab laser

We have built a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG slab laser that emits 40 W of cw power in a TEM(00) mode and 72 W of power in multimode operation when pumped with 235 W. The slope efficiencies are 22% for TEM(00)-mode operation and 36% for multimode operation. The laser uses a zigzag slab geometry to reduce thermally induced distortions and operates at less than one wave of distortion at the full pump power. A significant advantage of our design over those of previous slab lasers is a new Teflon AF protective coating on the slab total-internal-reflection surfaces, which greatly simplifies the mounting and cooling of the slab laser medium.