Compact diode-pumped Nd:YAG/BaWO/sub 4/ Raman laser

Compact diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers with utilised nonlinear frequency converters are attractive radiation sources in new spectral regions. Solid state crystals suitable for stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) can be used for frequency conversion of high-peak power laser pulses. The research on this subject has developed rapidly over the past few years, and it has been reviewed in a detailed report. Barium tungstate (BaWO/sub 4/) was identified as a unique medium having a high Raman gain value for pump pulses of picosecond to nanosecond duration. The goal of this work was a development of a diode-pumped solid-state laser with a Raman frequency converter incorporated into a compact device.