Open AccessComparison of a diode pumped Er:YSGG and Er:YAG laser in the bounce geometry at the 3 μm transition
Author(s) -
E. A. Arbabzadah,
S. P. Chard,
Hemmel Amrania,
Chris C. Phillips,
M. J. Damzen
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.19.025860
Subject(s) - laser , optics , materials science , diode , wavelength , slope efficiency , laser diode , pulse (music) , optoelectronics , diode pumped solid state laser , tunable laser , physics , fiber laser , detector
A comparative study is made of the laser crystals 50 at. % Er:YAG and 50 at. % Er:YSGG. Both lasers are constructed in the bounce geometry with quasi continuous wave (QCW) diode pumping. In Er:YAG, pulse energies of up to ~31mJ, slope efficiency of 12.6% and a red-shift in laser wavelength are observed with a final and dominant wavelength of 2.936μm. In Er:YSGG, higher performance is achieved with pulse energies of ~55mJ, slope efficiency of 20.5% and a single transition wavelength of 2.797μm observed. The study indicates that diode pumped Er:YSGG is a superior laser source at 3μm than Er:YAG and it has greater energy storage potential for Q-switched operation.