Dynamically stable single frequency ring resonator from diode pumped Nd:YAG modules with 55.6 W of output power

A Nd:YAG rod single-frequency ring laser based on side-pumped commercial modules is presented. Thermally induced birefringence compensation was applied in a dynamically stable resonator providing 55.6 W of continuous, linearly polarized, TEM 00 output. The particular case of a symmetric ring resonator containing one or two focusing rods and a pair of curved mirrors was analyzed and a design technique is presented, allowing for easy, continuous shaping of the stability limits by changing only the distances in the resonator.