High-efficiency, argon-laser-pumped Nd:YLF laser system

An Ar-ion laser was used to pump a Nd:YLF laser, in both σ and π polarizations, in a longitudinal scheme. In spite of the small absorption coefficient at the pump (~0.25 cm (-1)), a careful laser design can circumvent this problem, and efficiencies as high as those attained with semiconductor pumping schemes are reported. The laser fundamental parameters were experimentally determined. A double-pass net gain as high as 10(3) was measured, and an output power of 1 W was obtained with a pumping power of 6 W.