Highly efficient third-harmonic generation with electro-optically Q-switched diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO4 slab laser

We have achieved efficient third-harmonic generation (THG) with an electro-optically Q-switched diode-end-pumped slab laser by cascading second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation in a lithium triborate (LBO) crystal. The high conversion efficiency, short pulse length and high pulse energy is the characteristic of the output 355 nm light. An average power of 11.1 W at a repetition rate of 10 kHz was achieved. The pulse energy is 1.1 mJ and the pulse length is 5 ns. The peak power of pulse is 0.22 MW. The conversion efficiency from 1064 nm to 355 nm reached 44.4% which is to our knowledge the highest conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the 355 nm light is near TEM00 mode. The beam quality is M2 < 1.5. In this paper, the experimental setup, results and the factors which can affect the conversion efficiency are discussed.