An efficient continuous-wave YVO₄/Nd: YVO₄/YVO₄ self-Raman laser pumped by a wavelength-locked 878.9 nm laser diode

We report an efficient continuous-wave self-Raman laser at 1176 nm based on a 20-mm-long composite YVO₄/Nd:YVO₄/YVO₄ crystal and pumped by a wavelength-locked 878.9 nm diode laser. A maximum output power of 5.3 W is achieved at a pump power of 26 W, corresponding to an optical conversion efficiency of 20% and a slope efficiency of 21%. The Raman threshold for the diode pump power was only 0.92 W. The results reveal that in-band pumping by a wavelength-locked diode laser significantly enhances output power and efficiency of self-Raman lasers by virtue of improved pump absorption and relieved thermal loading.