Compact efficient diode-pumped Nd : YVO4 Q-switched blue laser with intracavity frequency tripling

Abstract

We demonstrate a compact efficient diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched intracavity-frequency-tripled Nd:YVO4 blue laser. The optimum polarization state is experimentally investigated to optimize the output performance. Greater than 280 mW of 447-nm average power at a repetition rate of 25 kHz was generated with a 15-W diode pump power. At 25 kHz, the pulse width is shorter than 15 ns and the peak power is higher than 800 W.