Q-Switched Yb:YAG/YVO4 Raman Laser

We experimentally demonstrated, the first time to the best of our knowledge, the intracavity Stokes frequency conversion using a Yb:YAG crystal as gain medium and a YVO₄ as Raman crystal. At an incident pump power of 9.72 W and a pulse repetition frequency of 39 kHz, the first-Stokes emission at 1157.6 nm with a spectral linewidth of 2.2 nm was observed with respect to the Raman shift of 890 cm^-1. The maximum pulse average output power of 750 mW at 1157.6 nm was achieved, with a corresponding incident pump beam to first-Stokes output conversion efficiency of 7.72%.