An efficient high-power 946 nm Nd:YAG planar waveguide laser

To date increasing the output power of Nd:YAG lasers operating on the three-level 4F3/2→4I9/2 transition has been restricted by detrimental thermal effects in the gain medium. Using a double-clad planar waveguide, an efficient 946 nm laser has been demonstrated that produced 35 W of output power with corresponding slope and optical-to-optical conversion efficiencies of 56% and 50%, respectively. Performance and further power-scaling possibilities are discussed.