Efficient diode-pumped nd:LuYAG lasers on 4F3/2 → 4I11/2 transition using a YAG etalon

We report diode-pumped Nd:LuYAG mixed crystal lasers around 1.06 μm. In free running mode, single wavelength laser at 1063.88 nm is obtained with maximum output power of 8.71 W and slope efficiency of 60.4%. The laser result represents the best laser performance of Nd:LuYAG laser so far. Using an undoped YAG thin plate to act as intracavity etalon, four simultaneous dual-wavelength lasers can be yielded, i.e. 1064.12 and 1060.95 nm with maximum output power of 4.32 W and slope efficiency of about 31.6%, 1064.37 and 1072.89 nm with maximum output power of 2.06 W and slope efficiency of about 15.0%, 1063.88 and 1052.41 nm with maximum output power of 1.82 W and slope efficiency of about 14.4%, as well as 1063.88 and 1068.26 nm with maximum output power of 1.51 W and slope efficiency of about 13.1%. These dual-wavelength lasers are all generated for the first time to our knowledge in Nd:LuYAG crystal. The multiple peak structure of the Nd:LuYAG mixed crystal like Nd:YAG single crystal could be a potential laser source for THz wave generation.