<title>Diode pumped neodymium-based thin disk lasers</title>

Abstract

The output performances of thin disk lasers with Nd-based gain media are investigated under multi-pass pumping with diode lasers at 808 nm into the ⁴F_5/2 level and directly into the upper ⁴F_3/2 emitting level. Continuous-wave operation with powers in excess of 10 W at 1.06 μm, and in the watt-region at 0.94 μm in Nd:YAG and at 0.91 μm in Nd:YVO₄ and Nd:GdVO₄ is obtained. Intracavity frequency doubling of the 0.91-μm emitting Nd:vanadates lasers generate 'deep-blue' light in excess of 1 W under pumping into the ⁴F_5/2 level; results on blue-emitting thin disk lasers that are pumped at ~0.88 μm into the ⁴F_3/2 emitting level are presented for the first time. Simultaneous dual-wavelength emission on the ⁴F_3/2→ ⁴I_9/2 quasi-three-level transition and the 4F_3/2→ ⁴I_11/2 four-level transition is demonstrated from all these media.