Efficient high-energy pulse generation from a diode-side-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and application for optical parametric oscillator

Abstract

We employ a convex-concave resonator to develop a high-pulse-energy diode-side-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with high extraction efficiency. At a diode pump energy of 227 mJ, the output laser pulse reaches 30 mJ with a pulse width of 6 ns at a repetition rate of 20 Hz. The optical-to-optical conversion efficiency is up to 13.2%. Based on the developed Nd:YAG laser oscillator, we further employ a monolithic KTP crystal to perform the optical parametric oscillator (OPO). With the 1064 nm input energy of 30 mJ, the OPO energy at 1573 nm is found to be 13.3 mJ, corresponding to an OPO conversion efficiency as high as 44.3%.