Abstract

Power scaling of cw diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers has been limited by birefringence and thermal lensing. Side-pumped technologies typically employ a series of diodes encircling a laser rod, with their outputs focused into the center of the rod to form a circular overlap region. The basic concept is to provide a Gaussian gain volume with a peak in the center of the rod, so as to provide good overlap with the TEM₀₀ mode volume.

© 1995 Optical Society of America