High power diode-side-pumped rod Nd:GdVO4 laser

A compact high power diode-side-pumped Nd:GdVO4 laser has been presented, which can generate an output power of 52 W at 1.063-μm for continuous-wave (CW) operation. The absorption characteristics of the Nd:GdVO4 in different pump directions is measured, which were used to optimize the diode-side-pumped Nd:GdVO4 laser head. The laser characteristics of both CW and Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 and Nd:YAG in are compared and it was found that Nd:GdVO4 may surpass Nd:YAG for high power laser application.