Repetitively pulsed mode-locked Nd:phosphate glass laser oscillator-amplifier system.

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nd:glass laser systems are crucial for various applications.
• Athermal phosphate glass offers potential advantages in laser performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the performance of a repetitively pulsed mode-locked Nd:glass laser system.
• To evaluate the use of athermal phosphate glass in laser oscillator and amplifier stages.
• To optimize pulse generation and characteristics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a repetitively pulsed mode-locked Nd:glass laser system.
• Employed a 100-microm thick intracavity etalon for improved mode-locking.
• Incorporated athermal phosphate glass in oscillator and amplifier stages.
• Performed subsequent frequency-doubling steps.

Main Results:

• Achieved reliable generation of transform-limited pulses with a typical duration of 5 picoseconds.
• Produced 1054-nm pulses of high beam quality and approximately 25-mJ energy.
• Operated at a pulse repetition rate of approximately 0.2 Hz.
• Attained frequency-doubling conversion efficiencies of approximately 50% and 25%.

Conclusions:

• The Nd:glass laser system with athermal phosphate glass demonstrates robust performance.
• The intracavity etalon effectively enhances passive mode-locking characteristics.
• The system is capable of producing high-quality, energetic pulses suitable for further applications like frequency conversion.