With their high finesse external cavities, VECSELs provide intrinsically low frequency noise, class-A operation with broad spectral coverage, making them ideal candidates for quantum technology applications, such as atomic trapping. Subsequently, the excess frequency noise observed in VECSELs originates from pump noise, environmental noise, and mechanical instabilities. For conventional diode-pumped solid-state lasers monolithic formats, such as non-planar-ring-oscillators, have provided an effective solution to reducing environmental and technical noise. Here we present a monolithic-cavity class-A VECSEL based on a 25 mm fused silica right-angle prism. We present the cavity design and initial characteristics of the device operating at frequencies required for integration with Sr atomic clocks.
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