Blue diode-pumped Pr:YLF laser with planar resonator optics.

blue diode-pumped Pr:YLF laser with emission at visible wavelengths is presented that employs a suitably coated GRIN-lens as the output coupler. The GRIN-lens element combines the functionality of focusing and reflecting the laser beam. In this way the usual curved output coupler is replaced and the laser resonator consists entirely of planar elements. This is of relevance for large volume-low cost production. The experimental results presented here indicate that the use of the GRIN-lens element as the output coupler does not lead to significantly increased round-trip losses for the solid-state laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]