1073 nm continuous-wave Nd:YVO₄ laser with Type I phase-matching LiB₃O₅.

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO₄) lasers are widely used.
• Achieving continuous wave (CW) output at specific wavelengths, like 1073 nm, presents unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and achieve continuous wave (CW) laser output at 1073 nm from a Nd:YVO₄ crystal.
• To suppress unwanted 1064 nm emission and tune the output wavelength.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Nd:YVO₄ crystal as the gain medium.
• Employed a Type I phase-matching lithium triborate (LBO) crystal, rotated by 45°, to suppress 1064 nm output.
• Investigated the effect of pump power and LBO crystal orientation on output characteristics.

Main Results:

• Achieved a continuous output of 300 mW at 1073 nm with a pump power of 4.5 W, yielding an optical-to-optical efficiency of 7%.
• Demonstrated wavelength tunability from 1073.2 to 1073.5 nm using an adjustable LBO crystal.
• Realized simultaneous output at 1066 nm and 1073 nm by adjusting the LBO crystal.

Conclusions:

• Successfully demonstrated the first reported continuous wave (CW) 1073 nm laser output from a Nd:YVO₄ crystal.
• The use of a phase-matched LBO crystal is effective for suppressing competing wavelengths and enabling tunable output.
• Experimental results validate theoretical predictions for this laser system.