Diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser with self-filtering unstable cavity for operation over a wide range of pulse repetition rates

Subject of study. The spatial and power characteristics of a diode-pumped Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a self-filtering unstable cavity operating in TEM 00 mode at a pulse repetition rate ranging from 1 Hz to 30 Hz while the cavity parameters and cavity geometry remained unchanged are studied. Aim of study. The optical design of a Nd:YAG laser with a self-filtering unstable cavity to provide pulse output energies in excess of 50 mJ was optimized, and the pulse repetition rate is adjusted within a range from 1 Hz to 30 Hz. Method. Optical design calculations and experimental studies of the spatial and power characteristics of a Nd:YAG laser with a self-filtering unstable cavity operating at pump pulse repetition rates from 1 to 30 Hz are carried out. Main results. We show that the Nd:YAG laser optical design developed herein is capable of producing TEM 00 fundamental mode laser pulse energies above 50 mJ at pulse repetition rates of 1–30 Hz without varying the cavity parameters or modifying the cavity geometry. Practical significance. The data we have obtained can be used to develop high-power pulsed transverse diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers with high output beam quality. Our approach substantially reduces the radiation load on intracavity components.