Abstract

For optimization of longitudinally-pumped solid-state lasers, a model which consider the pump-beam propagation described by its M² factor is proposed. Analytical functions for the optimum focusing-position, the optimum pump spot-size, the minimum threshold pump power and the maximum overlap efficiency are given. A simple output to input power relation and previous formulae provides a straightforward procedure to design the optimum laser resonator, the coupling-optics and to evaluate the laser output power. A slope efficiency of 57% with a 53% optical-efficiency at maximum 8-W pump-power was obtained from a fiber-coupled longitudinally-pumped Nd:YAG medium. A very good agreement between experiments and theory was obtained.

© 1999 Optical Society of America