Study of Continuous-Wave Single-Mode Lasing Efficiency in a Longitudinally Pumped YLF:Nd³⁺ Laser

We report a theoretical and experimental study of the effect of up-conversion on the efficiency of continuous-wave generation of the fundamental TEM₀₀ mode in a YLF:Nd³⁺ laser longitudinally pumped by laser diode radiation. It is shown that up-conversion is not the reason for the dependence of the single-mode output power of a YLF:Nd³⁺ laser on the output mirror reflectance at a constant pump power.