High energy and stable polarized passively Q-switched Nd3+:YAG/V3+:YAG laser emission at 1444 nm and 722 nm

A QCW LD pumped linearly polarized Nd3+:YAG/V3+:YAG laser operating at 1444 nm with high peak power of 62 kW is demonstated for the first time. The polarization extinction ratio of the 1444 nm output beam was higher than 1000:1 and the highest second-harmonic generation efficiency at 722 nm was 62.8%. A compact high-peak-power polarized Nd:YAG laser can be used as the master oscillator for a high energy system. In particular, a 722 nm laser is a viable source for biomedical applications such as photoacoustic imaging, oximetry, and tattoo removal.