High-power diode-end-pumped CW Nd:GdVO4 laser

We report on a high-power diode-end-pumped CW Nd:GdVO4 laser. Under the pump power of 39.5W, a maximum output power of 19.8W and a slope efficiency of 58.5% were obtained. The beam quality M2 at maximum output power was measured to be around 2.62. The thermal focal length in Nd:GdVO4 crystal under the pump power from 22 to 40.6W was measured. The pump-induced damage threshold was estimated to be 28.6kW/cm2.