Transverse mode locking of different frequency-degenerate families based on annular beam pumping.

Optical vortex arrays have been achieved in an end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser pumped by an annular beam. Spontaneous transverse mode locking of Laguerre-Gaussian modes in different frequency-degenerate families has been obtained by merely adjusting the pump power. A maximum output power of 0.88 W and optical conversion efficiency of 13.6% are achieved for optical vortex arrays. Optical vortex arrays formed in different frequency-degenerate families of Laguerre-Gaussian modes can be actively controlled by the position of the axicon. This work provides a way to research transverse mode locking of Laguerre-Gaussian modes in different frequency-degenerate families based on annular beam pumping.