Compact and Efficient Green VECSEL Based on Novel Optical End-Pumping Scheme

Abstract

We propose a novel lens-less optical end-pumping scheme and report on the development of a highly efficient and compact green vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL). A constant-wave pump-power-limited maximum green output power of 1.1 W and an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of as high as ~15.7% (=1.1 W/7 W) were achieved using a single chip pump laser diode placed directly behind the VECSEL structure without any beam focusing and shaping optical elements.