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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
High energy cw-diode pumped Nd:YVO4 regenerative amplifier with efficient second harmonic generation
Markus Lührmann1, Christian Theobald, Richard Wallenstein
1University of Kaiserslautern, Physics department, Erwin-Schrödinger-Str. 46, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany. luehrmann@physik.uni-kl.de
Optics Express
|January 7, 2010
Summary
We developed a diode-pumped neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4) regenerative amplifier. This laser system achieved high output power and efficient second harmonic generation, advancing laser technology.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics and Photonics
- Nonlinear Optics
- Solid-State Lasers
Background:
- Diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer efficient and compact laser sources.
- Regenerative amplifiers are crucial for generating high-energy laser pulses.
- Second harmonic generation is a key process for frequency conversion in lasers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a high-power diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 regenerative amplifier.
- To investigate the performance of the amplifier at various pulse durations and repetition rates.
- To demonstrate efficient second harmonic generation using the amplified pulses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an 888 nm diode laser for pumping a Nd:YVO4 crystal.
- Implemented a regenerative amplifier configuration to achieve pulse amplification.
- Adjusted the pulse duration from 217 ps to 1 ns and operated at a 20 kHz repetition rate.
- Employed a nonlinear crystal for second harmonic generation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a maximum output power of 33.7 W from the regenerative amplifier.
- Demonstrated adjustable pulse durations ranging from 217 picoseconds to 1 nanosecond.
- Obtained an efficient second harmonic generation with up to 79% conversion efficiency.
- The system operated reliably at a repetition rate of 20 kHz.
Conclusions:
- The developed diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 regenerative amplifier is a high-performance laser source.
- The amplifier enables efficient frequency conversion through second harmonic generation.
- This technology has potential applications in various fields requiring high-power, tunable lasers.
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