Characterization of a Diode-Pumped, 3.8-cm Clear-Aperture, High-Gain, Active-Mirror Laser Amplifier Using Cr:Nd:GSGG and Nd:GGG

We have characterized a 3.8-cm diam clear-aperture, diode-pumped active-mirror laser amplifier. A direct comparison, based on gain and wavefront measurements, was made between diode and flash-lamp pumping of a Cr:Nd:GSGG mirror.