Title :
Solar-pumped solid-state lasers
Author :
Weksler, M. ; Shwartz, J.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Isotope Res., Weizmann Inst. of Sci., Rehovot, Israel
fDate :
6/1/1988 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Results are presented for direct solar pumping of a Nd:YAG rod laser. Stable CW output of more than 60 W was obtained with a slope efficiency exceeding 2%. A compound parabolic concentrator, designed to increase the solar radiation coupled into the laser rod, was used in these experiments. The results are consistent with predictions based on a single solar-pumped laser model, which is also presented. Using this model, it is shown that existing laser materials with broadband absorption characteristics (e.g. alexandrite and Nd:Cr:GSGG) have a potential for better than 10% overall conversion efficiency when solar-pumped.<>
Keywords :
neodymium; optical pumping; solar absorber-convertors; solar energy concentrators; solid lasers; 60 W; Al/sub 2/BeO/sub 4/; GdScGG:Nd,Cr; GdScGa5O12:Nd,Cr; Nd:YAG rod laser; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; absorption characteristics; alexandrite; conversion efficiency; parabolic concentrator; solar pumping; solar radiation; solid-state lasers; Absorption; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Optical coupling; Optical design; Optical materials; Predictive models; Pump lasers; Solar radiation; Solid lasers;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
