Enhanced 532-nm emission by frequency-doubling of the one-micron Nd:yttrium vanadate laser in gadolinium calcium oxoborate

The direct pumping into the emitting level of Nd(super 3+) in Nd:YVO4 crystal has a much larger global effect on the intracavity frequency doubling of the 1064-nm emission than for Nd:YAG. These results indicate that the modality of pumping could be instrumental in the enhancement of performances of second-harmonic devices based on Nd vanadates or of other strongly absorbing Nd laser materials and for their scaling to higher power.