Title :
Theoretical and experimental investigations of small-signal gain for a diode-pumped Q-switched Cr:LiSAF laser
Author :
Balembois, François ; Falcoz, Franck ; Kerboull, Frédérique ; Druon, Frédéric ; Georges, Patrick ; Brun, Alain
Author_Institution :
Univ. de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France
fDate :
2/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
We present a theoretical model proving that up-conversion and thermal quenching of fluorescence strongly limit small-signal gain in a CW pumped Cr:LiSAF laser. We have a good agreement with experimental measurements of small-signal gain obtained with a new simple method. We have then optimized the gain in a Cr:LiSAF laser pumped by two 400-mW red diodes. The highest gain, 1.11 at 600 mW of absorbed pump power, is obtained if the pump spot is circularized inside the crystal and if the Cr:LiSAF is pumped on both sides. In Q-switched operation, this laser produces tunable pulses (up to 6.5 μJ at 10 kHz) between 800 and 900 nm
Keywords :
Q-switching; aluminium compounds; chromium; fluorescence; laser beams; laser tuning; lithium compounds; optical frequency conversion; optical pumping; photoluminescence; quenching (thermal); radiation quenching; solid lasers; strontium compounds; 10 kHz; 400 mW; 6.5 muJ; 600 mW; 800 to 900 nm; CW pumped laser; Cr:LiSrAlF6 laser; LiSrAlF6:Cr; Q-switched operation; absorbed pump power; diode-pumped Q-switched laser; fluorescence; pump spot; red diodes; small-signal gain; thermal quenching; tunable pulse; up-conversion; Diodes; Fluorescence; Gain measurement; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Laser theory; Optical pulses; Pump lasers; Thermal quenching; Tunable circuits and devices;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
