Nd:YAG thin disk laser

Results for the Nd: YAG thin disk laser are presented. An output power of 65 W is achieved with a two disk laser. Fundamental mode operation is possible at the expense of a reduced efficiency due to the strong and aspherical thermal lens. Using thinner crystals will overcome this problem and a first attempt to preserve the high efficiency is made by increasing the number of pump beam passes. Laser operation at 1.3 µm as well as Q-switch operation with one disk and two disk lasers is also demonstrated.