Open AccessActive-mirror-laser-amplifier thermal management with tunable helium pressure at cryogenic temperatures
Author(s) -
Antonio Lucianetti,
Daniel Albach,
Jean-Christophe Chanteloup
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.012766
Subject(s) - materials science , helium , optics , amplifier , laser , gas laser , cryogenics , optoelectronics , atomic physics , physics , thermodynamics , cmos
We illustrate the benefits of a thin, low pressure helium cell for efficient and safe heat removal in cryogenically-cooled active mirror laser amplifiers operating in the [100 J-1 kJ]/[1-10 Hz] range. A homogeneous gain medium temperature distribution averaging 160 K is obtained with a sub-mm helium-filled gap between the gain medium and a copper plate at 77 K. A significant degree of flexibility for tuning the temperature in the amplifier can be achieved by varying the pressure of the helium gas in the 10(2) to 10(5) Pa range.