Diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO4/LBO lasers with 4.2W continuous-wave output at 457 nm

A continuous-wave (CW) 457 nm blue laser operating at the power of 4.2 W is demonstrated by using a fiber coupled laser diode module pumped Nd: YVO 4 and using LBO as the intra-cavity SHG crystal. With the optimization of laser cavity and crystal parameters, the laser operates at a very high efficiency. When the pumping power is about 31 W, the output at 457 nm reaches 4.2 W, and the optical to optical conversion efficiency is about 13.5% accordingly. The stability of the output power is better than 1.2% for 8 h continuously working.