Diode-pumped regenerative amplifier delivering 100-mJ single-mode laser pulses

We report on a side-pumped Nd:phosphate laser regenerative amplifier that delivers laser pulses of as much as 100 mJ in a single TEM mode. The laser beam is mode matched to the amplification medium by an intracavity fused-silica phase plate for mode shaping and a telescope for adjustment of the beam mode to the amplification rod section such that most of the energy stored in the rod is transferred to the laser pulses. As a result of the good overlap and the lour loss, an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of as much as 10% was measured for a pumping current of 80 A and greater than 100-mJ output pulses. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.