Efficient blue lasers based on gain structure optimizing of vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser with second harmonic generation

We report on the demonstration of highly efficient blue lasers based on intracavity frequency doubling vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VECSELs). By optimizing the number of InGaAs quantum wells and employing Al0.3Ga0.7As carrier blocking layers in resonant periodic gain structures, we observed the pump-power-limited output power of 4.5W at 920nm for an InGaAs∕GaAs quantum well VECSEL. With a frequency doubling LiB3O5 crystal inside the cavity, 1.9W continuous-wave 460nm blue output was demonstrated. Power conversion efficiencies (=output power∕pump input power) of 22.5% and 9.5% are realized for λ∼920nm and λ∼460nm, respectively.