Experimental study of simultaneous end-pumping to a diode-side-pumped intracavity frequency doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG laser

The effect of simultaneous diode-end-pumping to a diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG rod laser has been experimentally studied at the intracavity frequency doubled laser configuration in a highly compact linear cavity geometry. It has been observed that simultaneous end-pumping significantly improves the optical to optical conversion efficiency. With an application of 8 W of end-pumping power to a diode side-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched Nd:YAG/KTP based laser, the average green power was enhanced by 5 W improving the optical to optical conversion efficiency from 17% to 19.4%. The effect of simultaneous end-pumping in addition with the side-pumping power on the thermal focal length, resonator stability and output beam profile have been studied.