Optimizing average power in low quantum defect lasers

Waste heat generation is a generic problem in high-power solid-state laser systems. One way to reduce heat loading while improving efficiency is to reduce the laser's quantum defect. This paper presents a simple analysis of low quantum defect laser materials. In these laser materials, the effects of fluorescent cooling and weak loss processes should not be ignored. Simple expressions are developed for efficiency and heating in a steady-state purely radiative material. These expressions are then extended to include weak losses and fluorescence reabsorption. Evaluation of these relations using ytterbium-doped YAG is used to illustrate several optimization schemes and the impact of realistic losses.