Highly efficient TEM_00 operation of transversely diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers

Abstract

Improved pumping geometries and tailored cavity modes result in a 32% optical-to-optical slope efficiency for TEM00 output from a transversely diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. Energies of 60 mJ are obtained for multimode operation and 50 mJ for single-mode operation, which represent an 80% extraction of the multimode energy as TEM00 output. The electrical slope efficiency for TEM00 operation is 17%.