20-J Ti:sapphire laser oscillator

A 2-J Ti:sapphire laser oscillator has been constructed by using an end-pumped configuration. The pump laser delivered as much as 10 J of energy (40–50 J cm−2) at 495 nm over a 4-μsec pulse length with no damage to the Ti:sapphire crystal. Ti:sapphire laser conversion efficiencies of 20% were obtained, and no parasitic oscillations were observed. A side-pumped Ti:sapphire oscillator delivered 0.7 J when pumped by 8 J of 495-nm radiation.