Total self-mode locking of multi-pass geometric modes in diode-pumped Nd:YVO₄ lasers

Abstract

We report for the first time on simultaneously longitudinal and transverse self-mode locking in a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser to achieve a pulse train traveling along the zigzag multi-pass trajectories in the degenerate cavity. At a pump power of 2.5 W, the average output powers in the mode-locked operation are 490 mW and 520 mW for the M-mode and Z-mode, respectively. The pulse widths are measured to be approximately 22.2 and 21.1 ps for the M-mode and Z-mode, respectively.