Gain change by adjusting the pumping wavelength in an end-pumped Nd:YVO₄ amplifier

In this paper, the performance of an end-pumped laser amplifier was experimentally studied by adjusting the pumping wavelength of a laser diode. An interesting phenomenon was observed: that the gain would decrease with an increase in absorbed pump power. The scaled output power of 0.3 at. % doped 20 mm long Nd:YVO₄ crystal decreased from 0.48 to 0.2 W when the absorbed pump power increased from 17.5 to 17.8 W. Theoretical analysis was demonstrated according to our previous model. The long crystal length is the main reason for the observed phenomenon. This phenomenon could be utilized to enhance amplifier gain and improve thermal performance, including the maximal temperature and thermal stress of the crystal.