Discretely tunable multiwavelength diode-pumped Nd:YALO laser.

Area of Science:

• Lasers and Photonics
• Quantum Electronics
• Solid-State Lasers

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer efficient and compact solutions.
• Q-switching and frequency conversion techniques are crucial for generating specific wavelengths.
• Thermal lensing effects can impact laser performance, especially in side-pumped geometries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the operation of a tunable, Q-switched, quadrupled diode-pumped Nd:YALO laser.
• To characterize the laser's output energy at fundamental and UV wavelengths.
• To investigate thermal lensing effects in the Nd:YALO rod.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Q-switched, diode-pumped Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Lanthanate (Nd:YALO) laser.
• Employed intracavity frequency doubling to generate green and yellow light.
• Used external frequency quadrupling to produce ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Analyzed astigmatic focal lengths resulting from thermal lensing.

Main Results:

• Achieved 5.4 mJ at 532 nm and 4.4 mJ at 550 nm via intracavity frequency doubling at a 600 Hz repetition rate.
• Generated 0.28 mJ at 266 nm and 0.24 mJ at 275 nm through external frequency quadrupling.
• Presented data on astigmatic focal lengths attributed to thermal lensing in the side-pumped Nd:YALO rod.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated a discretely tunable Nd:YALO laser system operating in the UV range.
• The laser achieved moderate-to-high repetition rates with significant output energies.
• Thermal lensing effects were identified as a key factor influencing laser performance.