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20 mJ, 1 ps Yb:YAG Thin-disk Regenerative Amplifier
Published on: July 12, 2017
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High pulse energy multiwatt Yb:CaAlGdO4 and Yb:CaF2 regenerative amplifiers
Optics Express
|October 17, 2014
Summary
We compared Ytterbium-doped Calcium Aluminum Gadolinium Oxysilicate (Yb:CaAlGdO4) and Ytterbium-doped Calcium Fluoride (Yb:CaF2) regenerative amplifiers. Both laser materials achieve high pulse energy near 1 mJ with ultrashort pulses, suitable for industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Laser Physics
- Materials Science
- Optical Engineering
Background:
- Regenerative amplifiers are crucial for generating high-energy ultrashort laser pulses.
- Ytterbium-doped materials are promising for high-power laser systems due to their favorable spectroscopic properties.
- Industrial applications demand laser systems with high pulse energy and repetition rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the performance of Yb:CaAlGdO4 and Yb:CaF2 regenerative amplifiers.
- To assess their suitability for industrial applications requiring high pulse energy at moderate repetition rates.
- To explore their potential for high-throughput material processing at higher frequencies.
Main Methods:
- Experimental setup of regenerative amplifiers utilizing Yb:CaAlGdO4 and Yb:CaF2 gain media.
- Characterization of output pulse energy, pulse duration, and beam quality.
- Operation at repetition rates ranging from 5-10 kHz and up to 500 kHz.
Main Results:
- Both Yb:CaAlGdO4 and Yb:CaF2 amplifiers achieved pulse energies close to 1 mJ with sub-400-fs pulse durations.
- Comparable performance was observed between the two materials within the investigated pump power range.
- The regenerative amplifiers demonstrated the capability to operate at repetition rates up to 500 kHz, delivering up to 9.4 W of output power.
Conclusions:
- Yb:CaAlGdO4 and Yb:CaF2 are both suitable gain media for high-energy, ultrashort pulse regenerative amplifiers.
- These materials offer comparable performance for industrial applications at 5-10 kHz repetition rates.
- The demonstrated high-repetition rate capability (up to 500 kHz) highlights their potential for advanced material processing.
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