Highly Efficient Nd:Y3Al5O12 Ceramic Laser

Abstract
A highly efficient laser diode end-pumped polycrystalline 1% Nd:Y3Al5O12 (Nd:YAG) ceramic laser has been developed. It is comparable to a Nd:YAG single crystal laser in terms of efficiency. With 883 mW pumping, CW laser output of 499 mW at 1064 nm has been obtained, which corresponds to an optical-to-optical efficiency of 56.5%. The threshold is only 22 mW for a R=97% output coupler. Passively Q-switched operation has also been demonstrated using a Cr4+:YAG single crystal as a saturable absorber.