High power Stokes generation based on a secondary Raman shift of 259 cm−1 of Nd:YVO4 self-Raman crystal

A diode-end pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 self-Raman laser is demonstrated. A diffusion-bonded composite c-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal is used as the self-Raman medium. Based on a secondary Raman shift of 259 cm−1, the conversion from 1066 nm fundamental laser to 1097 nm first-Stokes Raman laser is achieved. The first-Stokes output power of 0.75 W is obtained under an incident diode power of 8.1 W. Thermal focal length formulas are given out for modeling the thermal effect of the self-Raman crystal. The characteristics including the spectrum, the pulse width, the repetition rate and the beam quality factors are studied for the Stokes laser.