Self-Raman frequency conversion in a diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO 4 laser has been demonstrated. The use of LiF:F − 2 crystal as a saturable absorber has provided effective Q-switching of the Nd:GdVO 4 laser with high pulse energy. The laser pulse duration at the 1 st Stokes wavelength 1174 nm was as short as 500 ps. Diode-to-Raman optical conversion efficiency more than 2 % at the pulse peak power of 9 kW was achieved.a.u. Nd:GdVO4 Raman laser temporal characteristics

Passively Q-switched self-Raman laser oscillations in the SrMoO4:Nd3+ crystal optically pumped by a laser diode (LD) at 804 nm are demonstrated for the first time to our knowledge. Output parameters of LD-pumped SrMoO4:Nd3+ laser were investigated in free-running, passively Q-switched, and self-Raman regimes of laser operation, over a wide range of pulse repetition rates (8.5-85 kHz). A pulse energy of 21 microJ was measured in the self-Raman regime at 1163 nm (first Stokes) wavelength, which is 6 times higher than that for the GdVO4:Nd3+ self-Raman laser of similar design.

Continuous-wave laser oscillations in LiF:F-2 crystal optically pumped by a laser diode at 970 nm were demonstrated for what is believed to be the first time. The slope efficiency of 14% and conversion efficiency of 5.5% were achieved for 80 micros pump pulse duration and 5 Hz pulse repetition rate. An efficiency twice as low was measured at a 6.25 kHz pulse repetition rate (50% off-duty factor) and in cw mode of laser operation.

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