1053-nm-wavelength selection in a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YLF laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Solid-State Lasers
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Neodymium-doped Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (Nd:YLF) lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Nd:YLF crystals exhibit multiple emission lines, notably at 1047 nm and 1053 nm.
• Suppressing the stronger 1047-nm transition to favor the 1053-nm line is often challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a Nd:YLF laser operating at 1053 nm.
• To achieve wavelength selection without complex intracavity optical elements.
• To investigate the use of thermal lensing effects for wavelength discrimination.

Main Methods:

• End-pumped Nd:YLF laser using a fiber-coupled diode laser.
• Employed a plane-parallel resonator design.
• Utilized the differential thermal lensing focal lengths of the two main lasing wavelengths.
• Achieved wavelength selection by slightly tilting the end mirror.

Main Results:

• Successfully operated the Nd:YLF laser at 1053 nm without intracavity suppression elements.
• Achieved a maximum output power of 1.9 W in continuous-wave (cw) operation.
• Obtained nearly 1 W of average power at a 15 kHz Q-switch repetition rate.
• Recorded a highest slope efficiency of 47% in cw operation.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective method for achieving 1053-nm emission from Nd:YLF lasers has been demonstrated.
• The technique leverages inherent thermal properties of the gain medium and resonator alignment.
• This approach offers a practical alternative for applications requiring the 1053-nm wavelength without complex optical setups.