title: Efficient pumping scheme for neodymium-doped materials by direct excitation of the upper lasing level.
abstract: An efficient pumping scheme that involves direct excitation of the upper lasing level of the Nd(3+) ion is demonstrated experimentally. The results obtained for direct upper laser level pumping of Nd:YAG R2 (869 nm) and Nd:YVO(4) (880 nm) were compared with traditional approximately 808-nm pump band excitation. A tunable cw Ti:sapphire laser was used as the pump source. In Nd:YAG, the oscillator slope efficiency increased by 10% and the threshold decreased by 11%. In Nd:YVO(4), the slope efficiency increased by 5% and the threshold decreased by 11%. These results agree with theory. The increase in optical efficiency indicates that laser material thermal loading can be substantially reduced.
authors.affiliation: Non-Linear Optics Group, Electro-Optics Division, Soreq Nuclear Research Center, Yavne 81800, Israel. raphy@ndc.soreq.gov.il
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lavi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jackel
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tzuk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winik
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lebiush
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paiss