Study of continuous-wave single-mode lasing efficiency in a longitudinally pumped YLF:Nd3+ laser

Abstract: We report a theoretical and experimental study of the effect of up-conversion on the efficiency of continuous-wave generation of the fundamental TEM₀₀ mode in a YLF:Nd³⁺ laser longitudinally pumped by laser diode radiation. It is shown that up-conversion is not the reason for the dependence of the single-mode output power of a YLF:Nd³⁺ laser on the output mirror reflectance at a constant pump power.

Keywords: laser diodes, single-mode Gaussian beam, up-conversion, continuous-wave single-mode YLF:Nd³⁺ laser, longitudinal pumping, degenerate cavity.