High-power monolithic unstable-resonator solid-state laser

Laser-diode-pumped Cr(4)+, Nd(3)+:YAG with self-Q-switched laser output of 1.4 W

By use of a laser diode as a pump source, a self-Q-switched laser from a Cr, Nd:YAG crystal is demonstrated. The output Q-switched traces are very stable, the threshold pump power is 3.5 W, the pulse duration is 50 ns, and the slope efficiency is as high as 20%. In addition, the pulse width remains constant while the pulse repetition rate varies with pump power.

High-power directional emission from microlasers with chaotic resonators

High-power and highly directional semiconductor microcylinder lasers based on an optical resonator with deformed cross section are reported. In the favorable directions of the far-field, a power increase of up to three orders of magnitude over the conventional circularly symmetric lasers was obtained. A "bow-tie"-shaped resonance is responsible for the improved performance of the lasers in the higher range of deformations, in contrast to "whispering-gallery"-type modes of circular and weakly deformed lasers. This resonator design, although demonstrated here in midinfrared quantum-cascade lasers, should be applicable to any laser based on semiconductors or other high-refractive index materials.