A High-Power Continuous-Wave Laser-Diode End-Pumped Nd:YVO Laser of Single-Frequency Operation

We design and build a cw high quality and high power Nd:YVO₄ laser of single frequency operation with a laser-diode dual-end-pumped geometry. The influence of the Nd³⁺-doping concentration in the Nd:YVO₄ crystal on the output performance of laser is theoretically and experimentally studied. With a Nd:YVO₄ crystal of the Nd³-doping concentration 0.3at.% and at pump power of 45W, the output power of the single frequency laser is 18W, and the slope efficiency is 48%.