Title :
Diode array pumped kilowatt laser
Author :
Pierre, Randall J St ; Mordaunt, David W. ; Injeyan, Hagop ; Berg, Jacqueline G. ; Hilyard, Rodger C. ; Weber, Mark E. ; Wickham, Michael G. ; Harpole, George M. ; Senn, Robert
Author_Institution :
Space/Electron. Group, TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA, USA
fDate :
2/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The diode array pumped kilowatt laser (DAPKL) has demonstrated more than an order of magnitude increase in brightness and average power for short pulse diode-pumped solid-state lasers since its inception in 1991. Significant advances in component technology have been demonstrated, including: development of a diffusion bonding process for producing large slabs of Nd:YAG laser material. Phase conjugation by stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) has been demonstrated with high reflectivity and fidelity in a simple focused geometry with input powers of 100 W. Pulse energies at 1.06 μm of 10 J have been demonstrated with a beam quality of 1.5 times diffraction limited at the 500-W level. An average power of 875 W at 100 Hz has been obtained. Efficient frequency doubling with a record power of 165 W has been demonstrated with 5 J per pulse at 0.53 μm. Work is ongoing to enclose the system in a compact brassboard with improved performance and long term stability
Keywords :
brightness; laser stability; neodymium; optical focusing; optical phase conjugation; optical pumping; reflectivity; solid lasers; stimulated Brillouin scattering; 0.53 mum; 1.06 mum; 10 J; 100 W; 165 W; 5 J; 500 W; 875 W; Nd:YAG laser material; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; average power; beam quality; brightness; compact brassboard; component technology; diffraction limited; diffusion bonding process; diode array pumped kilowatt laser; efficient frequency doubling; fidelity; focused geometry; high reflectivity; input powers; large slabs; long term stability; phase conjugation; pulse energies; short pulse diode-pumped solid-state lasers; stimulated Brillouin scattering; Brightness; Brillouin scattering; Diodes; Laser excitation; Optical arrays; Optical pulses; Power lasers; Pump lasers; Semiconductor laser arrays; Solid lasers;
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/2944.585814
