Dynamically stable operation of a 100-watt level CW single frequency ring laser at 1064 nm

Abstract

For high-resolution spectroscopy, a stable, narrow linewidth and high power output laser is desirable in order to pump different types of resonant optical parametric oscillators, which is the goal of the present work. Typical single frequency pump lasers are in the range of 10 watt output power whereas, depending on application and OPO type, higher power (>20 W) is desirable. Here we demonstrate a high-power single frequency laser based on off the shelf standard Nd:YAG pump modules. Two closely spaced, diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG rods were used in a mode-filling configuration to form a CW polarized ring resonator with TEM00 beam quality and output power of 105 W. The output power achieved is, to our knowledge, the highest reported for continuous polarized, fundamental-mode ring lasers using standard side-pumped Nd:YAG modules. The resonator allowed for power tuning over a large dynamic range and achieved excellent beam quality, using a half wave plate between both rods for birefringence compensation. Single frequency operation was achieved using a TGG crystal and an etalon, with a preliminary output power of 40 W.