Multiple-beam, pulse-burst, passively Q-switched ceramic Nd:YAG laser under micro-lens array pumping

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Laser-induced plasma ignition (LIPI) is crucial for various applications.
• Traditional laser systems face limitations in achieving both high repetition rates and high pulse energies simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel four-beam, passively Q-switched, pulse-burst ceramic Nd:YAG laser.
• To enhance the performance of laser-induced plasma ignition (LIPI) through advanced laser design.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 2 × 2 micro-lens array for pumping a ceramic Nd:YAG laser.
• Implemented a passively Q-switched, pulse-burst mode for multiple laser beams (laserI, laser II, laser III, laser IV).

Main Results:

• Achieved simultaneous high repetition rate and high pulse energy output in a pulse-burst mode.
• Pulse-bursts contained up to 5 pulses with repetition rates ranging from 5.2 kHz to 10.8 kHz.
• Single laser pulse energy within the pulse-burst was between 0.12 mJ and 0.22 mJ.

Conclusions:

• The developed four-beam pulse-burst ceramic Nd:YAG laser significantly improves LIPI performance.
• The system's capability for simultaneous high repetition rate and high pulse energy offers a promising advancement for ignition applications.