Doubled single-frequency Nd:YLF ring laser coupled to a passive nonresonant cavity

Abstract

We demonstrate an original solution to obtain a single-frequency ring laser coupled to an external passive nonresonant ring cavity, which plays the role of an optical diode. This system provides more output power than systems with an intracavity unidirectional device. To the best of our knowledge, this work marks the first demonstration of a unidirectional planar ring laser at 1.3 μm. Using 12 W at 797 nm to pump a Nd:YLF laser, combined with intracavity second-harmonic generation, we achieve yields of 440 mW at 661.3 nm and 340 mW at 656.0 nm. © 2004 Optical Society of America.