Abstract
Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have been used to optically pump a planar-cavity, Nd:YVO 4 microchip laser. Lasing was achieved with a minimum pump power of 0.8 mW from a 10 μm diameter, circular aperture VCSEL. The microchip laser operates in a fundamental Gaussian mode of 40– 50 μm diameter for a range of pump sizes from 10 to 50 μm with a threshold pump power proportional to the pump size. These characteristics indicate that the mode formation is controlled by gain-induced refractive index changes within a cavity that is positively detuned from the atomic resonance. Stable, Gaussian mode formation is also achieved when directly pumping the microchip lasers with no intervening optics.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
