We investigated thermal-lensing effects in a diode end-pumped Yb:KGW laser with slab shaped active element. Performance and thermal lensing properties for Ng cut Yb:KGW and Yb:KGW cut for athermal propagation direction are presented. It is found that crystal cut along athermal direction provides weaker thermal lens than Ng cut active element, however, due to anisotropic Yb:KGW characteristics, thermal lens is highly astigmatic. End bulging contribution to thermal lensing under intense pump was measured (for Ng cut active element).

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We demonstrate a high-power, diode-pumped, pulsed Nd:YVO4 laser with a 1.2 diffraction-limited output of 9.5 W using a thin film deposition technology made aspheric mirror to correct the thermally induced phase distortion of the lasing medium.

We report the high beam quality diode end-pumped Q-switched Yb:YAG laser operating at 1030 nm wavelength with elliptical cavity mode configuration operating at 1-100 kHz repetition rates. We have performed measurements of highly astigmatic thermal lens in laser active element by means of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor that provides necessary data for laser cavity design. With optimized laser cavity the output beam quality parameter M 2 does not exceed 1.2 value even at maximum pump power of 50 W.

We report on high beam quality diode end-pumped Q-switched Yb:YAG laser with elliptical cavity mode configuration operating at 1÷100 kHz repetition rates. Laser coupler transmittance optimization in CW is carried out. Measurements of thermal lens in laser active element by means of Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor are presented. It is shown that thermal lens in such laser is highly astigmatic. We have also measured laser beam quality parameter M 2 , which does not exceed 1.2 value at the highest pump power.