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A miniaturized Nd : YAIG laser is described, in which a 5 × 0.45-mm laser rod is end pumped by a single incoherent GaAs1−xPx light-emitting diode. Laser threshold was achieved at room temperature in a pulse pumped mode of operation. The measured threshold optical power incident on the end of the laser rod was 19 mW at 24°C. Based on an extrapolation from known Ga1−xAlxAs diode performance, it is concluded that present technology can provide diode pumps to drive a miniature Nd : YAIG laser 2.4 times above threshold continuously at room temperature.

Optical resonators with one convex and one concave mirror offer significant advantages for TEM00 mode operation of solid-state lasers. High efficiency and low sensitivity to perturbations and compactness have been obtained in comparison to other resonator types. The resonators described are characterized by a stability product equal to one-half, with one g parameter greater than unity. An equivalent resonator incorporating an intracavity lens is also described which offers a focused light beam of a selected radius useful for intracavity modulation or nonlinear effects. Experimental results are given for continuously pumped Nd: YAG lasers.