Diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 lasers with cylindrical vector vortex output in continuous-wave and Q-switched operation

Direct generation of cylindrical vector vortex (CVV) laser output in a Nd:YVO4 laser incorporating a S-waveplate and an etalon is reported. Simple calculation of the Jones matrix shows that radial or azimuthal polarization of the laser output can be selected by the orientation angle of the intracavity S-waveplate in the laser resonator. This approach has been applied to a Nd:YVO4 laser, producing 0.6 W of a continuous-wave CVV output at 1064 nm with radial or azimuthal polarization accompanied by a right or left-handedness wavefront helicity due to the etalon. Q-switched operation was also achieved by using an acousto-optic modulator, yielding Q-switched CVV pulses with a 17 mu J pulse energy and a 55 ns pulse duration at a repetition rate of 10 kHz. The prospects of further power scaling and improved laser performance are discussed.