High-power TEM00-mode operation of diode-pumped solid state lasers

Norman Hodgson; Kim D. Griswold; Wilhelm A. Jordan; Steve L. Knapp; Amy A. Peirce; Christopher C. Pohalski; Emily A. P. Cheng; John Cole; Dave R. Dudley; Alan B. Petersen; William L. Nighan Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.349265

24 May 1999 High-power TEM₀₀-mode operation of diode-pumped solid state lasers

Norman Hodgson, Kim D. Griswold, Wilhelm A. Jordan, Steve L. Knapp, Amy A. Peirce, Christopher C. Pohalski, Emily A. P. Cheng, John Cole, Dave R. Dudley, Alan B. Petersen, William L. Nighan Jr.

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3611, Laser Resonators II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349265
Event: Optoelectronics '99 - Integrated Optoelectronic Devices, 1999, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The performance of end-pumped YAG and YVO₄ lasers in fundamental mode operation (M² < 1.1) is reviewed and the physical limits of TEM₀₀ output power is discussed. By using special resonator configurations, end-pumped lasers can be designed to provide high-power, excellent beam quality, and high-efficiency in spite of the large phase distortions commensurate with the strong aberrated thermal focusing. A 35 W infrared Nd:YVO₄ laser was developed with a quantum efficiency of 94%, defined as a percentage of 1064 nm photons generated per quantity of absorbed 809 nm pump photon. A Q-switched end-pumped Nd:YAG laser provides an average output power greater 15 W in a polarized TEM₀₀ mode with 29% optical efficiency at 1064 nm. External frequency doubling and tripling of this laser resulted in maximum output powers of 8.8 W and 4.2 W, respectively.

Citation Download Citation

Norman Hodgson, Kim D. Griswold, Wilhelm A. Jordan, Steve L. Knapp, Amy A. Peirce, Christopher C. Pohalski, Emily A. P. Cheng, John Cole, Dave R. Dudley, Alan B. Petersen, and William L. Nighan Jr. "High-power TEM₀₀-mode operation of diode-pumped solid state lasers", Proc. SPIE 3611, Laser Resonators II, (24 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349265

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available