High-reflectivity continuous-wave phase conjugation by four-wave mixing in a diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ amplifier

Summary form only given. Self-adaptive laser resonators formed by diffraction from a gain grating have shown considerable promise for correction of distortions in high average power laser systems as well as for spectral and temporal control of the laser radiation. We have shown that high gain and high diffraction efficiency gain gratings are possible in a continuous-wave mode of operation from a diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser amplifier, and this is the first such demonstration of a continuous-wave diode pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser amplifier as a four-wave mixing medium. This result is of considerable importance since it now makes possible the operation of continuous-wave self-adaptive solid-state lasers and the compensation of thermal lensing when operating at high powers.