Single-axial mode, intracavity doubled Nd:YAG laser

A diode-pumped, single-axial mode, intracavity doubled laser has been demonstrated using a cavity consisting of only two intracavity components, a Brewster angle cut piece of Nd:YAG and a KTP doubling crystal. Up to 4 mW single-ended output power has been obtained for 260 mW incident power on the Nd:YAG. Threshold power was 31 mW of diode power incident on the YAG; thus, single-mode operation was attained at up to ~8.5 times threshold. At the highest power the laser was susceptible to multimode operation due to spatial hole burning effects but below ~5 times threshold reliable single mode operation was achievable