Design considerations for a 50-W cw, fundamental mode, diode-pumped solid state laser

Robert J. Shine Jr.; Todd C. Merrill; Anthony J. Alfrey; Eric K. Gustafson; Robert L. Byer

doi:10.1117/12.146948

16 June 1993 Design considerations for a 50-W cw, fundamental mode, diode-pumped solid state laser

Robert J. Shine Jr., Todd C. Merrill, Anthony J. Alfrey, Eric K. Gustafson, Robert L. Byer

Proceedings Volume 1865, Diode Pumping of Average-Power Solid State Lasers; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.146948
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

To achieve the design goal of 50 watts cw in a single-frequency, fundamental mode we have chosen a slab laser design. The slab geometry with a zig-zag optical path eliminates stress birefringence and thermal focusing to first order in a uniformly pumped, ideal slab. However, at the thermal loads we are considering, higher order effects become significant. We have developed a computer program to analyze the full three dimensional behavior of the thermally loaded slab and have used this code in an attempt to minimize the wavefront distortion of a beam as it traverses the slab. The resonator design is also critical in achieving single- frequency, fundamental mode operation with high extraction efficiency. Because of the rectangular geometry and size of the slab laser, we have chosen to build a stable-unstable resonator. Single frequency operation is obtained by injection locking a ring cavity. Mode selection is achieved in the wide transverse direction of the slab by using an unstable cavity with a super-Gaussian mirror. An unstable resonator supports large mode volumes and has large discrimination against higher order transverse modes. In addition, a super-Gaussian mirror profile provides efficient extraction in a high quality mode. Our resonator design should lead to efficient operation in a near TEM₀₀ mode with a slope efficiency approaching those of slab lasers with multimode output.

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Robert J. Shine Jr., Todd C. Merrill, Anthony J. Alfrey, Eric K. Gustafson, and Robert L. Byer "Design considerations for a 50-W cw, fundamental mode, diode-pumped solid state laser", Proc. SPIE 1865, Diode Pumping of Average-Power Solid State Lasers, (16 June 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.146948

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KEYWORDS

Resonators

Mirrors

Laser development

Birefringence

Reflectivity

Continuous wave operation

Nd:YAG lasers

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