Diode-pumped CW frequency-doubled Nd:GSAG-LBO blue laser at 471 nm

Abstract

We describe the output performances of the 942 nm 4F3/2 → 4I9/2 transition in Nd:GSAG under diode-laser pumping. An end-pumped Nd:GSAG crystal yielded 3.7 W of continuous-wave output power for 17.8 W of absorbed pump power. The slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power was 23.4%. Furthermore, with 17.8 W of diode pump power and the frequency-doubling crystal LiB3O5 (LBO), a maximum output power of 572 mW in the blue spectral range at 471 nm has been achieved, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 3.2%; the output power stability over 4 h is better than 4.1%.