High-power continuous-wave and high-energy Q-switched miniature Yb：Y3Ga5O12 crystal lasers

We report on the continuous-wave（CW） and passive Q-switching performance of a miniature Yb:Y3Ga5O12crystal laser end pumped by a 935-nm diode laser. A maximum CW output power of 12.03 W is produced with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 54.4%, while the slope efficiency is 63%. In the passively Q-switched operation achieved with a Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber, an average output power of 2.12 W at 1025.2 nm is generated with a slope efficiency of 46% at a pulse repetition rate of 5.0 kHz. The pulse’s energy, duration, and peak power are 424 μJ, 2.3 ns, and 184.3 k W, respectively.