Efficient self-frequency-doubling Nd:GdCOB green laser at 545 nm pumped by a 796 nm laser diode.

A 796 nm laser-diode (LD)-pumped self-frequency-doubling Nd:GdCaO(BO) (Nd:GdCOB) green laser is first demonstrated. With 2.93 W of 796 nm LD pump power, a maximum power of 460 mW green laser at 545 nm has been achieved. The optical conversion efficiency of 15.8% is higher than that pumped with a 808 nm LD. As the pump wavelength shifts toward 796 nm, the output power and optical conversion efficiency increase.