Efficient and stable operation of a high-brightness cw 500-W Nd:YAG rod laser

Enhanced efficiency and stabilized beam-power generation were proved for a high-brightness cw-based 500-W Nd:YAG rod laser by compensation of the thermally induced bifocusing of the Nd:YAG rod. Maximum laser power of 500 W cw was obtained at lamp input power of 18.4 kW, with beam quality M(2) = 19 orωθ (radius x, the half-angle of divergence) = 6.4 mm mrad and power fluctuation of less than 1%.