Master oscillator-amplifier Nd:YAG laser with a SBS phase-conjugate mirror

A MOPA Nd:YAG laser source incorporating a SBS phase-conjugate mirror delivering 12 ns long 1,6X diffraction-limited pulses at a pumping rate of 10 Hz is experimentally demonstrated. High reflectivity (70-80%) of phase conjugate mirrors using CCIF 3 gas near its critical point and CH 4 gas with single laser shots is reported. Fidelity of phase conjugation stays high (0.8) with broadband radiation (0.7 cm -1 ). Output MOPA energies and beam quality are measured as a function of oscillator output energy and amplifier flashlamp pumping level. Advanced beam steering performed with this phase-conjugate laser design is presented.