Design criteria for concentration optimization in scaling diode end-pumped lasers to high powers: influence of thermal fracture

Author

Chen, Y.F.

Author_Institution

Precision Instrum. Dev. Center, Nat. Sci. Council, Hsinchu, Taiwan

Volume

35

Issue

2

fYear

1999

fDate

2/1/1999 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

234

Lastpage

239

Abstract

A systematic investigation of a series of Nd:YVO₄ crystals with different dopant concentrations is conducted to scale the performance of diode-end-pumped lasers to higher powers. From the theoretical analysis, the fracture-limited pump power is expressed as a function of the thermal shock parameter, fractional thermal loading, and the absorption coefficient. The thermal shock parameter of Nd:YVO₄ crystals is determined from the laser experiments. Using the thermal shock parameter and the space-rate-equation model, we calculate the maximum output power in Nd:WO₄ crystals at the optimum pump condition as a function of the dopant concentration. The theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results. The influence of lowering the absorption coefficient on the TEM ₀₀ output efficiency is also studied through the overlapping integral

Keywords

absorption coefficients; laser modes; neodymium; optical design techniques; optical pumping; optimisation; solid lasers; yttrium compounds; Nd:YVO₄ crystal lasers; TEM₀₀ output efficiency; YVO₄:Nd; absorption coefficient; concentration optimization; design criteria; diode-end-pumped lasers; dopant concentration; fractional thermal loading; fracture-limited pump power; high powers; higher powers; laser experiments; maximum output power; optimum pump condition; overlapping integral; scaling diode end-pumped lasers; space-rate-equation model; thermal fracture; thermal shock parameter; Absorption; Crystals; Design optimization; Diodes; Electric shock; Laser modes; Laser theory; Power lasers; Pump lasers; Thermal loading;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.740746

Filename

740746