Dual-wavelength laser operation in a-cut Nd:MgO:LiNbO3

• Dual-wavelength lasing from Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 is experimental demonstrated.
• Dual-wavelength operation is theoretically analyzed based on the Boltzmann distribution.
• CW watt-level laser with a-cut Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 crystal is achieved.
• Using Cr4+:YAG as SA, 28 ns laser pulses with peak power of 729 W are obtained.

Diode-pumped dual-wavelength a-cut Nd:MgO:LiNbO3 lasers near 1085 and 1093 nm were experimentally and theoretically investigated. The simultaneous dual-wavelength emitting was mainly attributed to the Boltzmann distribution of the occupation in the Stark-split energy-levels in manifold 4I11/2. Under an absorbed pump power of 7.45 W, a maximum continuous wave (CW) output power of 1.23 W was obtained, giving a slope efficiency of 21.2%. Using Cr:YAG as saturable absorber, the shortest pulse duration of 28 ns was obtained with a repetition rate of 24 kHz, resulting in a peak power of 729 W.