Highly efficient 12  W diode-pumped actively Q-switched Yb:KGd(WO4)2 laser.

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics and Engineering
• Solid-State Lasers
• Photonics

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Ytterbium-doped gain media offer efficient operation in the near-infrared spectrum.
• Q-switching techniques enable high peak power generation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a compact diode-pumped actively Q-switched Yb:KGW laser.
• To investigate the laser's performance in terms of efficiency, output power, and beam quality.
• To achieve high pulse peak power for potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped Yb:KGW gain medium.
• Employed an actively Q-switched three-mirror laser cavity configuration.
• Characterized output power, repetition rate, pulse duration, peak power, and beam quality (M2 factor).

Main Results:

• Achieved a significant optical-to-optical efficiency of 50%.
• Obtained an output power of 12.2 W at a repetition rate up to 50 kHz.
• Reached a maximum pulse peak power of 70 kW with a Gaussian beam profile (M2 < 1.2).

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated Yb:KGW laser is a compact and efficient source.
• The laser system exhibits high performance suitable for demanding applications.
• The excellent beam quality is maintained even at high pump powers.