EFFICIENT TEM00-MODE OPERATION OF A ND-YAG LASER END PUMPED BY A 3-BAR HIGH-POWER DIODE-LASER ARRAY

We demonstrate an efficient Nd:YAG laser end pumped by a high-power (135-W peak power) three-bar diode-laser array. We have achieved an unpolarized TEM00-mode output energy of 6.7 mJ/pulse for a 27-mJ pump pulse. The optical-to-optical slope efficiency of the energy impinging upon the laser rod is 38% for round-trip losses of 2.4% and a 5% transmissive output coupler. The attainable multimode output energy is 8.4 mJ/pulse. We have also designed and constructed an optics module that efficiently concentrates the pumping radiation in the resonator mode region. This optics is a key component for this laser.