Self-stimulating, transversally diode pumped Nd 3+:KGd(WO 4) 2 Raman laser

Abstract

Operation of a compact, self-stimulating, Q-switched Nd 3+:KGd(WO 4) 2 Raman laser is reported which was transversally pumped by a 300 W quasi-cw diode laser. The crystal was cut with the b-axis parallel to the direction of beam propagation and exhibited Raman activity with a phonon energy of 901 cm −1. Maximum pulse energies of 0.1 mJ were achieved at 1162 nm. A pulse duration of 50 ns was measured in comparison to 140 ns at the fundamental wavelength of 1067 nm. The Raman laser radiation was frequency doubled by a LiB 3O 5 crystal into the yellow spectral region at 581 nm. The temporal evolution of the Raman laser radiation is discussed on the basis of model calculations.