Abstract
We propose a novel high efficient diode-side-pumping configuration of a solid-state laser. The optical slope efficiency of 52.2% was proved in a continuous-wave mode, an efficiency which is, to our knowledge, the highest for diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG rod lasers. The electrical-to-optical slope efficiency was 30.3%. With a diode output power of 135.1W and an electrical input power of 327.3W into diode arrays, we obtained a multi-mode output power of 40.0W which corresponds to a total optical efficiency of 29.6% and a total electrical-to-optical efficiency of 12.2%.
