Influence of Gaussian mirror parameters on LD-pumped Nd:YAG laser

The influence of eccentricity and laser performance of LD-pumped Nd:YAG laser was investigated experimentally at different parameter Gaussian mirrors. Largest energy, narrowest width and smallest divergence can be obtained simultaneously only when the optical axis, laser crystal axis and Q-switch axis were in agreement, furthermore the optical axis went through the reflectivity center of Gaussian mirror. When eccentricity appeared, the energy, pulse width and divergence degraded more with smaller reflectivity radius or larger center reflectivity of Gaussian mirror. For 2.5 mm reflectivity radius and 30% central reflectivity Gaussian mirror, energy decreased 7%, pulse width increased 33%, and divergence increased 20% under 0.5 mm eccentricity. For laser performance, the smaller the reflectivity radius or center reflectivity of Gaussian mirror, the better the beam quality and the smaller the optical-to-optical efficiency. Considering the eccentricity influence and laser performance, 2.75 mm reflectivity radius and 20% center reflectivity Gaussian mirror was optimum. When the pump energy was 984 mJ, output energy of 128 mJ, pulse width of 7.3 ns, and beam quality M² factor of 4.6 at 1064 nm were achieved, corresponding to the optical-to-optical efficiency of 13%. The experimental results in this paper can be a reference of the laser design and alignment.