Abstract

Costing 2-5 times that of a comparable Nd: YAG rod, Nd³⁺:Cr³⁺:GSGG is likely to find use only in specialized markets. However, when weight and volume are at a premium, GSGG's factor of 2 performance margin over Nd:YAG makes it a viable alternative. Recently, a Nd³⁺:Gr³⁺:GSGG laser that puts out a 1-J pulse with ~22.5 J of input energy was designed and built (Fig. 1). This laser operates at a 1-Hz repetition rate with no active cooling. Slope efficiencies as high as 7 %, overall efficiencies as high as 5.4% and consistently higher than 4% have been achieved with this laser design. Rods from two suppliers were used in this work.

© 1988 Optical Society of America