Abstract

Efficient sources of stable coherent radiation in the visible-and near-infrared spectral region are required for many scientific and commercial applications. Di-ode-pumped miniature ring lasers¹'³ in particular are useful tools in laser-based metrology⁴ because of their high intrinsic intensity and frequency stability. Considering Nd:YAG as active medium, development has been concentrated in the past few years on laser systems operating at 1064 run and 1319 run, respectively. Monolithic Nd:YAG ring lasers optimized for high output power at these wavelengths are presented. More than 1 W cw in single-frequency operation are generated applying a negative curved output coupling facet to compensate the thermally-induced lens inside the active medium.³

© 1996 Optical Society of America