1053-nm-wavelength selection in a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YLF laser

Abstract

We report on a Nd:YLF laser that operates at 1053 nm without optical intracavity elements for the suppression of the stronger 1047-nm transition. The Nd:YLF crystal is end pumped by a fiber optically coupled 10-W diode-laser bar. The different thermal-lensing focal lengths of the two main lasing wavelengths in a plane-parallel resonator were used to achieve the selection by tilting the end mirror slightly from its optimum position for maximum output power. With 9.8-W cw diode-laser-pumping power the 1053-nm Nd:YLF laser produces a maximum output power of 1.9 W in cw operation and nearly 1 W of average power at a Q-switch repetition rate of 15 kHz. The highest slope efficiency of 47% achieved in cw operation.

Nd:YLF laser at cryogenic temperature with orthogonally polarized simultaneous emission at 1047 nm and 1053 nm

“…2. We believed that the temperature difference comes from the different thermal effect between π polarization and σ polarization in the Nd:YLF crystal [11]. However, the detail discussion needs further investigation since the accurate calculation related to numerous complicated thermal properties of the gain medium when the crystal was cooling to the cryogenic temperature.…”

“…This realization is of great interest in the application of self-sensing metrology [7,8]. However, due to the large difference of the stimulated emission cross section between the 1047-nm and 1053-nm emissions at room temperature [9][10][11], it is a critical issue to balance the gains for achieving the orthogonally-polarized simultaneous emission with equal output powers for two wavelengths. In earlier works [12,13], a wedged acut Nd:YLF crystal together with its birefringence property was employed to select the emission at 1047 nm and 1053 nm by separating the resonant path in the cavity.…”

Q-Switched Operation with Carbon-Based Saturable Absorbers in a Nd:YLF Laser

“…Nd:YLF is a birefringent crystal, which has a thermal lens effect and can emit laser radiation at 1047 nm and 1053 nm with crossed polarizations, 1047 nm being the strongest line [22,23]. In our calculations, we used the λ = 1047 nm emission line, and the dimensions of the rod had typical values of 2a = 5 mm diameter, L r = 5 cm length, refractive index 1.45.…”

Recent Progress on Compact and Portable Terahertz Source Based on Parametric Conversion from Dual-Frequency Solid-State Laser Pulses

“…Furthermore, a Nd:YLF crystal is known for its low thermal effect and long upper-state lifetime. In the past, a single Nd:YLF crystal was used to simultaneously generate the output beams at 1047 nm and 1053 nm without introducing any optical element inside a single laser resonator [36]. However, the ratio of the powers generated at these two wavelengths could not be controlled at all.…”