Efficient Second Harmonic Generation of a Diode-Laser-Pumped cw Nd:YAG Laser Using Monolithic MgO:LiNbO3 External Resonant Cavities

摘要

We report 56% efficient external cavity resonant second harmonic generation of a diode-laser pumped, CW single-axial-mode Nd: YAG laser. A theory of external doubling with a resonant fundamental is presented and compared to experimental results for three monolithic cavities of nonlinear MgO: LiNbO3. The best conversion efficiency was obtained with a 12.5 mm long monolithic ring cavity doubler, which produced 29.7 MW of CW, single axial mode 532 nm radiation from an input of 52.6 mW. There has been increasing interest in the development and applications of diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers. Diode-laser-pumped lasers offer improved reliability, efficiency, and frequency stability compared to lamp-pumped lasers. An important application of diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers is in the generation of visible radiation by frequency doubling 2. Reprints. (jes)