Open AccessOptimising the efficiency of pulsed diode pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifiers for ns pulse generation
Author(s) -
Klaus Ertel,
Saumyabrata Banerjee,
Paul Mason,
Jonathan Phillips,
Mathias Siebold,
Cristina Hernandez–Gomez,
John Collier
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.19.026610
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , amplifier , laser , diode , optoelectronics , optical pumping , pulse duration , brightness , fluence , ytterbium , laser pumping , doping , physics , cmos
We present a numerical model of a pulsed, diode-pumped Yb:YAG laser amplifier for the generation of high energy ns-pulses. This model is used to explore how optical-to-optical efficiency depends on factors such as pump duration, pump spectrum, pump intensity, doping concentration, and operating temperature. We put special emphasis on finding ways to achieve high efficiency within the practical limitations imposed by real-world laser systems, such as limited pump brightness and limited damage fluence. We show that a particularly advantageous way of improving efficiency within those constraints is operation at cryogenic temperature. Based on the numerical findings we present a concept for a scalable amplifier based on an end-pumped, cryogenic, gas-cooled multi-slab architecture.