VCSEL-pumped passively Q-switched monolithic solid-state lasers

摘要

High power 808 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays were used to end-pump diffusion-bonded composite laser rods consisting of an Nd:YAG gain medium and a Cr:YAG saturable absorber. The laser pulse energy, q-switch delay time, and optical efficiency of a passively Q-switched monolithic solid state laser in a compact rugged package were measured as a function of VCSEL power for various heatsink temperatures. Up to 19 mJ laser pulse energy was produced with 13% optical efficiency.