High performance Cr4+:YAG Q-switched cw diode-pumped Nd:YAG

This paper reports the operation of a Cr4+:YAG Q-switched CW diode laser pumped Nd:YAG at 1064 nm. The laser performances resulted in 167 uJ, 21 ns pulses at 10 kHz, and 1.67W power output. When intracavity polarized, stable amplitude (fluctuations <1%), TEM00, 153 uJ pulses were generated allowing 50% SHG in KTP.