Diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1338 nm

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Diode-side-pumped solid-state lasers offer high efficiency and compact design.
• Nd:YAG lasers are widely used in various industrial and scientific applications.
• 1338 nm emission from Nd:YAG is relevant for specific applications like medical treatments and telecommunications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the output performance of a diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1338 nm.
• To investigate the laser's behavior in both continuous-wave (cw) and Q-switched modes.
• To evaluate the impact of different output couplers on laser performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser setup.
• Employed various output couplers to optimize laser performance.
• Tested the laser in both continuous-wave (cw) and Q-switched operational modes.
• Measured output power, peak power, pulse duration, and repetition rates.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum continuous-wave (cw) output power of 100.5 W with a slope efficiency of 36%.
• In Q-switched mode, with 555 W pumping power, output power ranged from 70 W at 50 kHz to 55 W at 5 kHz (slope efficiency 21.2%, optical conversion efficiency 10%).
• Reached a peak power of 73 kW with a pulse duration of 150 ns at a 5 kHz repetition rate.

Conclusions:

• The diode-side-pumped Nd:YAG laser demonstrates robust performance in both cw and Q-switched modes at 1338 nm.
• The laser system is capable of delivering high average and peak powers, suitable for demanding applications.
• Optimization of output couplers is crucial for tailoring laser characteristics to specific operational requirements.