Study of Q-CW array LD pumped Nd: YAG laser

A high power Q-CW array LD pumped Nd:YAG laser was successfully developed by building the model that Q-CW array LD pumped Nd: YAG laser. Using laser rate equation; the geometry formed by the pumping beam meeting laser beam in the resonant cavity was calculated out. In the experiment, two Q-CW array LDs were used. The average output power is 60w and the duty cycle is 20% each. The two Q-CW array LDs were placed-along side of Nd: YAG bar at the angle 90degrees. The pumping beam enters Nd: YAG rod radial so as to fills in the whole medium uniformly, which not only decreases the threshold but increases the slope efficiency. By setting a pair of lambda/4 wave plates in cavity steady single mode output can be obtained. Its average output power is 12w, the pulse width is 10-12ns, and the pulse frequency can be variable from 500Hz to 1000Hz.