Highly Efficient Nd:Y₃Al₅O₁₂ Ceramic Laser

Abstract

A highly efficient laser diode end-pumped polycrystalline 1% Nd:Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (Nd:YAG) ceramic laser has been developed. It is comparable to a Nd:YAG single crystal laser in terms of efficiency. With 883 mW pumping, CW laser output of 499 mW at 1064 nm has been obtained, which corresponds to an optical-to-optical efficiency of 56.5%. The threshold is only 22 mW for a R =97% output coupler. Passively Q-switched operation has also been demonstrated using a Cr 4+ :YAG single crystal as a saturable absorber.