Efficient subnanosecond diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 self-stimulated Raman laser

Generation of efficient subanosecond self-stimulated Raman pulses by a diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4/Cr4+:YAG laser is demonstrated. Experimental results reveal that self-frequency Raman conversion can be achieved with a c-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal in a nearly hemispherical cavity. At 2.0 W of incident pump power, the self-stimulated Raman laser produces stable 710-ps pulses at a Stokes wavelength of 1178.6 nm with 7.2 muJ of pulse energy at a 17-kHz repetition rate. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.