High efficiency 1342 nm Nd:YVO4 laser in-band pumped at 914 nm

A high-efficiency 1342 nm Nd:YVO4 laser in-band pumped at 914 nm is demonstrated for the first time. Using an all-solid-state Nd:YVO4 laser operating at 914 nm as pump source, 0.86 W output was obtained with 1.82 W absorbed pump power. Corresponding slope efficiency of 65.4% was the highest of Nd:YVO4 lasers operating at 1342 nm to the best of our knowledge. Effects of crystal's doping concentration and temperature on laser power and conversion efficiency were also investigated. (C)2011 Optical Society of America