Efficiency and threshold analysis of resonantly diode-laser-pumped 1.6-/spl mu/m Er:YAG laser

Resonant diode pumping of the 1.6-/spl mu/m Er/sup 3+/(1%):YAG laser is reported with the absorbed photon conversion efficiency of 26%. Fluorescence study indicates that upconversion is a dominant mechanism affecting the solid-state laser threshold.