Generation of a radially polarized Nd:YVO4 laser beam

Generation of a radially polarized laser beam was demonstrated by using birefringence of a c-cut Nd:YVO4 crystal. The c-axis of the Nd:YVO4 laser crystal was parallel to the optical axis of the laser cavity. High power, single emitter semiconductor lasers were used for the pumping of the laser crystal in the side-pumping configuration. By adjusting the cavity length, only the radially polarized light corresponding to extraordinary light in the Nd:YVO4 crystal was selectively enforced to oscillate because the refractive index for the ordinary light differs from that for the extraordinary light. Good stability of the output power against the mechanical noise was achieved owing to the outstanding simplicity of the cavity configuration.