Diode-pumped continuous wave and passively Q-switched operation of Nd:Gd0.33Lu0.33Y0.33VO4 crystal

Abstract

Diode end-pumped continuous wave (CW) and passively Q-switched (PQS) laser performances of the mixed Nd:Gd0.33Lu0.33Y0.33VO4 crystal are investigated for the first time. At the pump power of 9 W, the highest output power is 3.66 W, with an optical conversion efficiency of 40.7% and a slope efficiency of 43.6%. For pulsed operation, the minimum pulse width of 9.2 ns with Cr4+:YAG as saturable absorber is attained with the repetition rate of 81.8 kHz, and the single pulse energy and peak power are estimated to be 9.78 J and 1.06 kW, respectively.