183-W, M(2) = 2.4 Yb:YAG Q-switched laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are crucial for various applications.
• High-power Ytterbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Yb:YAG) lasers offer efficient operation.
• Challenges exist in achieving high beam quality and polarized output at high power levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a diode-array end-pumped Yb:YAG rod laser.
• To achieve high output power in both continuous wave (cw) and Q-switched modes.
• To investigate methods for improving beam quality and obtaining polarized output.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-array end-pumping configuration for a Yb:YAG rod laser.
• Incorporated a hollow lens duct for efficient pump light delivery.
• Implemented a birefringence compensation method for polarized output.
• Employed a stable resonator design.

Main Results:

• Achieved output powers exceeding 200 W cw and 195 W Q-switched at 5 kHz.
• Measured a beam quality of M(2)=2.4 at 183 W output power (5 kHz repetition rate).
• Obtained 112 W of cw power with a polarized beam (M(2)=3.2) using birefringence compensation.

Conclusions:

• The developed Yb:YAG rod laser demonstrates high-power capabilities.
• The hollow lens duct and birefringence compensation are effective for efficient, polarized, high-power laser operation.
• This laser design offers flexibility and improved performance for demanding applications.