Title :
One joule output from a diode-array-pumped Nd:YAG laser with side-pumped rod geometry
Author :
Kasinski, Jeffrey J. ; Hughes, Will ; DiBiase, Don ; Bournes, Patrick ; Burnham, Ralph
Author_Institution :
Fibertek Inc., Herndon, VA, USA
fDate :
4/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Output of 1.25 J per pulse (1.064 μm) with an absolute optical efficiency of 28% and corresponding electrical efficiency of 10% was demonstrated in a diode-array-pumped Nd:YAG laser using a side-pumped rod geometry in a master-oscillator/power-amplifier configuration. In Q-switched operation, an output of 0.75 J in a 17-ns pulse was obtained. The fundamental laser output was frequency doubled in KTP with 60% conversion efficiency to obtain 0.45 J in a 16-ns pulse at 532 nm. The output beam had high spatial quality with pointing stability better than 40 μrad and a shot-to-shot pulse energy fluctuation ⩽±3%
Keywords :
Q-switching; neodymium; optical pumping; solid lasers; 1.064 micron; 1.25 J; 10 percent; 28 percent; 532 nm; 60 percent; KTP; KTiOPO4; Q-switched operation; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; absolute optical efficiency; conversion efficiency; diode-array-pumped Nd:YAG laser; electrical efficiency; frequency doubled; fundamental laser output; master-oscillator/power-amplifier configuration; pointing stability; shot-to-shot pulse energy fluctuation; side-pumped rod geometry; spatial quality; Diode lasers; Geometrical optics; Laser excitation; Laser theory; Neodymium; Optical pulses; Optical pumping; Power lasers; Pump lasers; Solid lasers;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
