Depolarization degree of diode-pumped single-frequency monolithic ring Nd3+:YAG laser

For the first time depolarization degree of the diode-pumped monolithic ring Nd3+:YAG laser has been measured. The obtained value of depolarization degree equals 3 (DOT) 10-3. It has been shown that the dominant mechanism of the intracavity losses and the output light depolarization is diffraction on random inhomogeneities of birefringence in the laser media.