Infrared and self-frequency doubled laser action in Yb3+-doped LiNbO3:MgO

Stable continuous-wave laser action in the near-infrared and in the green spectral region has been obtained in a self-frequency doubling solid-state laser, the Yb3+:MgO:LiNbO3 nonlinear crystal. By pumping with a Ti:sapphire laser and using a nearly concentric cavity, laser action at 1.06 μm was achieved with an absorbed power threshold of 101 mW and efficiency around 47%. As much as 60 mW of self-frequency-doubled radiation at 530 nm was also obtained with absorbed pump powers of 800 mW in critical cavity alignment. Efficient laser action was also obtained in the near-infrared region under pumping with diode laser.