New continuous-wave and Q-switched eye-safe Nd:YAG lasers at 1.4 μ m spectral region

We report new results concerning 1.4 μ m eye-safe laser sources based on a conventional Nd:YAG crystal. In free-running laser mode, we obtain the highest output power of 4.64 W at 1413 nm with slope efficiency of about 23.1%. With the aid of an etalon, we achieve a simultaneous dual-wavelength laser at 1413 and 1443 nm with maximum output power of 3.18 W and slope efficiency of about 16.7%. In addition, a single wavelength laser at 1431 nm is also yielded with maximum output power of 1.96 W and slope efficiency of about 11.8%. The dual-wavelength laser and single-wavelength laser (1431 nm) are believed to be the first demonstrations from diode-pumped Nd:YAG crystal. Using a single-wall carbon nanotube as the saturable absorber, we achieve dual-wavelength Q-switched laser operation at 1413 and 1443 nm with the narrowest pulse width of about 0.49 μ s, for the first time to our knowledge. (paper)