HIGH AVERAGE POWER OPERATION AND NONLINEAR OPTICAL GENERATION WITH THE Nd:YAlO3 LASER

Abstract

Using a Nd: YAlO3 rod 3 in. long, we have obtained 75-W continuous output at 1.08 μ and 35 W at 1.0645 μ, both linearly polarized. Laser action has been obtained at five wave-lengths between 1.06 and 1.10 μ and at two lines near 1.34 μ at room temperature. The preferred polarization for each of these lines has been determined. Intracavity second harmonic and parametric generation with LiNbO3 in this laser have produced a 3-W average in a single beam at 5400 Å and a 775-mW average at 2.16 μ. The laser is free from depolarizing thermal birefringence at pump powers up to 4.5 kW.