Nd:(Gd0.3Y0.7)2SiO5 crystal: A novel efficient dual-wavelength continuous-wave medium

Abstract Efficient dual-wavelength continuous-wave (CW) and passively Q-switched laser operation of Nd:(Gd 0.3 Y 0.7 ) 2 SiO 5 crystal were investigated for the first time to our knowledge. Maximum CW output power of 2.3 W was obtained under the absorbed pump power of 4.6 W, corresponding to the slope efficiency of 55%. Dual-wavelength CW laser with respective wavelengths around 1074 nm and 1078 nm were achieved. With Cr 4+ :YAG as the saturable absorber, passive Q-switched performance was obtained. The slope efficiency of passively Q-switched operation was 45%. The shortest pulse width, the corresponding pulse energy and peak power were calculated to be 13.1 ns, 50.2 μJ and 3.8 kW, respectively.