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Updated: May 24, 2026
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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
Single-layer resonant-waveguide grating for polarization and wavelength selection in Yb:YAG thin-disk lasers
Moritz M Vogel1, Martin Rumpel, Birgit Weichelt
1Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 43, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
Optics Express
|March 16, 2012
Summary
A novel resonant-waveguide grating achieves high polarization and spectral selectivity in Ytterbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Yb:YAG) thin-disk lasers. This advanced grating enables efficient laser operation with high output power and narrow bandwidth.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics and Engineering
- Optical Metamaterials and Nanophotonics
- Materials Science for Lasers
Background:
- Thin-disk lasers, particularly Ytterbium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Yb:YAG) systems, are crucial for high-power laser applications.
- Achieving high spectral selectivity and polarization control in these lasers is essential for various scientific and industrial uses.
- Existing methods for spectral and polarization control often involve bulky or complex optical setups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and demonstrate a single-layer resonant-waveguide grating for enhanced polarization and spectral selectivity in Yb:YAG thin-disk lasers.
- To investigate the fabrication feasibility and performance characteristics of the designed grating structure.
- To integrate the grating as an end mirror in a Yb:YAG thin-disk laser resonator and evaluate its lasing performance.
Main Methods:
- Design of a sub-wavelength resonant-waveguide grating coupler.
- Fabrication using Lloyd's-mirror interference lithography and reactive ion beam etching.
- Characterization of wavelength and polarization-dependent reflectivity, including high-temperature behavior.
- Integration into an Yb:YAG thin-disk laser cavity for performance evaluation.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated high polarization (>99% degree of linear polarization) and high spectral selectivity (0.5 nm FWHM in multimode, 20 pm in fundamental mode).
- Achieved output powers of up to 123 W in multimode operation (M²~6) and 70 W in fundamental mode operation (TEM00, M²~1.1).
- Successful integration of the grating as an end mirror, confirming its effectiveness in laser resonator design.
Conclusions:
- The developed single-layer resonant-waveguide grating is a highly effective component for achieving superior spectral and polarization control in Yb:YAG thin-disk lasers.
- The fabrication method is scalable and the device exhibits robust performance, making it suitable for high-power laser systems.
- This grating offers a compact and efficient solution for enhancing laser performance, paving the way for advanced laser applications.
