Abstract
Large nonlinear phase shift achieved by exploiting intracavity second order cascaded nonlinear process in a non-phasematched second harmonic generating crystal is transformed into amplitude modulation through soft aperturing the nonlinear cavity mode variation within the laser gain medium to mode-lock a Nd:YVO4 laser. The laser delivers stable dual wavelength cw mode-locked pulse train with pulse duration 10.3 ps and average power of 1.84 W and 255 mW at 1064 nm and 532 nm respectively for a pump power of 12 W. A comprehensive theoretical analysis finds the regime of self starting and stable cascaded second order mode-locking, inconformity with the experimental result. (C)2013 Optical Society of America