Nd:YAG solid-state ring laser pumped by a light-emitting diode

Lasing has been achieved using an Nd:YAG solid state laser (wavelength 1.06 microns) which can be pumped in pulses or continuously by an array of LEDs. The major technical parameters of the device are given, and some preliminary experimental results are discussed. It is shown in a theoretical analysis that self-modulation regimes can occur in solid state ring lasers if the phase difference between the coupling coefficients is near zero. The results demonstrate that it is possible to create a stable beat regime in a rotating solid-sate ring laser with either continuous or pulsed LED pumping. It is also shown that self-modulation regimes have important applications as measurements of nonreciprocal effects.