Abstract

We show that the proper use of a self-imaging confocal cavity can be a simple way to optimize the efficiency of optical pumping of solid-state lasers. In this type of resonator the transverse mode self-adjusts to fit the pumped volume optimally. Self-optimization of the mode size of a laser-diode pump Nd:YAG laser (54% slope efficiency) is demonstrated, and an intrinsic efficiency of 68% is measured.

© 1994 Optical Society of America

All-solid-state self-mode locking of a Nd:YLF laser

J. R. Lincoln and A. I. Ferguson
Opt. Lett. 19(24) 2119-2121 (1994)

All-solid-state self-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser

K. Lamb, D. E. Spence, J. Hong, C. Yelland, and W. Sibbett
Opt. Lett. 19(22) 1864-1866 (1994)

Self-mode-locked diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser

M. J. P. Dymott and A. I. Ferguson
Opt. Lett. 19(23) 1988-1990 (1994)

Beam-mode calculations of a strongly pumped solid-state rod laser with an unstable resonator

Koji Yasui and Jun-ichi Nishimae
Opt. Lett. 19(8) 560-562 (1994)

Synchronously pumped all-solid-state lithium triborate optical parametric oscillator in a ring configuration

A. Robertson and A. I. Ferguson
Opt. Lett. 19(2) 117-119 (1994)