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520-W continuous-wave diode corner-pumped composite Yb:YAG slab laser
Qiang Liu1, Mali Gong, Fuyuan Lu
1Center for Photonics and Electronics, State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Department of Precision Instruments and Mechanology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. qiangliu@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
Optics Letters
|April 19, 2005
Summary
A new diode-corner-pumping scheme for solid-state lasers was demonstrated. This method achieved 520 W of continuous-wave output power, validating its potential for high-power laser development.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics and Engineering
- Materials Science in Optics
- Solid-State Laser Technology
Background:
- Quasi-three-level solid-state lasers are crucial for high-power applications.
- Traditional pumping schemes face limitations in achieving high efficiency and power scaling.
- Developing novel pumping geometries is essential for advancing laser performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a novel diode-corner-pumping scheme for quasi-three-level solid-state lasers.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of this scheme in a composite Yb:YAG-YAG slab laser configuration.
- To achieve high-power, continuous-wave (cw) operation using the proposed pumping method.
Main Methods:
- Designed a composite Yb:YAG-YAG slab laser utilizing a corner-pumping configuration.
- Pump light was incident from the corners of the slab laser.
- Operated the laser in a high-power continuous-wave (cw) mode for performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum output power of 520 W from a single 1-mm-thick composite slab.
- The slab was doped with 0.5-at. % Yb:YAG.
- Recorded a slope efficiency of 32% and an optical-to-optical efficiency of 25%.
Conclusions:
- The corner-pumping concept is validated as an effective method for solid-state lasers.
- This scheme demonstrates significant potential for the development of high-power cw lasers.
- The results highlight the feasibility and efficiency of diode-corner-pumped composite slab lasers.