Exploring the self-mode locking and vortex structures of nonplanar elliptical modes in selectively end-pumped Nd:YVO 4 lasers: manifestation of large fractional orbital angular momentum.

An end-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser under selective pumping is used to excite lasing modes with transverse patterns performed to exhibit the characteristics of multiple spots arranged on elliptical features near degenerate cavities. The spatial distribution of elliptical lasing modes is clearly revealed to be localized on the nonplanar ray orbits, so-called nonplanar elliptical modes, which possess large fractional orbital angular momentum. Moreover, temporal dynamics for the output emission of nonplanar elliptical modes are verified to obtain self-mode-locked operation. We further numerically manifest not only the influence of radial-asymmetry distributions on the vortex structures of nonplanar elliptical modes, but also the vector field of transverse lasing modes altered with twisting phase structures in the propagation direction.