  A simple and high-efficiency method for direct generation of all-solid-state
single- and dual-vortex lasers operating at eye-safe wavelengths is reported in
a compact diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG laser cavity. By off-axis pumping of the
Nd:YAG in two orthogonal directions, the original cavity mode, fundamental
Gaussian mode (TEM00), is directly transformed into first-order
Laguerre-Gaussian (LG01) mode with single- or dual-vortex structures depending
on the degree of the off-axis pumping. Moreover, the single- and dual-vortex
lasers can be produced in simultaneous eye-safe dual-wavelength operation with
the aid of an intracavity etalon. At the same time, a novel method to determine
the handedness of achieved vortex lasers by using a plane-concave mirror with
suitable coating is also proposed. This method can be perfectly applied to
generate vortex lasers at other emissions bands for various applications by
using different laser gain mediums. This work paves a general way to simple and
efficient realization and determination of vortex lasers.
