Stabilized efficient single-frequency Nd:YAG laser

Abstract

It is shown how intracavity etalons can be optimally designed for axial mode selection and frequency stabilization of gas and crystal lasers. Relevant laser parameters, required etalon properties, and expected losses are determined. A simple frequency stabilization scheme based on birefringent etalons is described, which does not require laser modulation. Major problems associated with stable single-frequency operation of solid-state lasers are discussed. Using an optimally designed crystal quartz etalon, a Nd:YAG laser could be stabilized to 10 <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-7</sup> in frequency and 2 percent in amplitude. The linearly polarized single frequency TEM <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">00</inf> output was 150 mW, which compares to an unpolarized 12-mode output of 400 mW for the bare laser.