3.8 W of cw blue light generated by intracavity frequency doubling of a 946-nm Nd:YAG laser with LBO

Efficient cw intracavity frequency doubling of a diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG laser operating on F-4(3/2) -> I-4(9/2) transitions at 946 nm has been demonstrated. A symmetrical cavity with two composite laser rods was designed, which divides the pump power between the two composite laser rods, allowing for greater power scalability. A 30-mm-long LiB3O5 (LBO) crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching at 57 degrees C, was used for the intracavity frequency doubling of the laser. A maximum output power of 3.8 W in the blue spectral range at 473 nm has been achieved at 39 W of pump power. The beam quality M-2 value is 2.3 in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.