Microchip solid-state cylindrical vector lasers with orthogonally polarized dual laser-diode end pumping

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Cylindrical vector beams are crucial for advanced optical applications.
• Generating these beams often requires complex setups.
• Laser-diode (LD) pumped solid-state lasers offer compact and efficient light sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a straightforward method for generating cylindrical vector beams.
• To utilize dual end-pumping in microchip solid-state lasers for vector beam generation.
• To investigate the control of polarization states by manipulating pump beam parameters.

Main Methods:

• Employing dual end-pumping beams on a c-cut Nd:GdVO4 microchip laser.
• Utilizing orthogonally polarized, off-axis laser-diode pump beams.
• Controlling the focus positions of the pump beams to influence the laser cavity's output.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated radially and azimuthally polarized cylindrical vector beams.
• Observed hyperbolically polarized vector fields, indicating broken cylindrical symmetry.
• Validated experimental findings through numerical simulations.

Conclusions:

• The dual end-pumping method provides a simple and effective way to generate various cylindrical vector beams.
• Pump beam focus control is a key parameter for tailoring vector beam properties.
• This technique is compatible with compact laser-diode-pumped solid-state laser systems.