Efficient blue light generated by intracavity frequency doubling of a 937 nm Nd:GGG laser with BiB3O6

Efficient CW intracavity frequency doubling of a diode-end-pumped Nd:GGG laser operating on 4 F 3/2 → 4 I 9/2 transitions at 937 nm has been demonstrated. A 10-mm-long BiB3O6(BiBO) crystal, cut for critical type I phase matching, was used for the intracavity frequency doubling of the laser. A maximum output power of 350 mW in the blue spectral range at 469 nm has been achieved at 18.3 W of pump power. The M2 factors are 1.18 and 1.29 in X and Y directions, respectively.