Open AccessNonlinear dynamics in intra-cavity pumped thin-disk lasers
Author(s) -
Sarah Trinschek,
Christian Vorholt,
Ulrich Wittrock
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.417154
Subject(s) - laser , optics , resonator , thin disk , optical cavity , laser power scaling , materials science , semiconductor laser theory , injection seeder , self pulsation , active laser medium , diode , physics , optoelectronics , stars , astronomy
Cross-saturation of the gain media in intra-cavity pumped lasers leads to complex dynamics of the laser power. We present experimental results and a detailed theoretical analysis of this nonlinear dynamics for an intra-cavity pumped Yb:YAG thin-disk laser in the framework of a rate-equation model. The gain medium of this laser is residing in the resonator of a conventional, diode-pumped Yb:YAG thin-disk laser. Continuous-wave operation, periodic pulse trains, and chaotic fluctuations of the optical power of both lasers were observed. The dynamics is not driven by external perturbations but arises naturally in this laser system. Further examination revealed that these modes of operation can be controlled by the resonator length of the diode-pumped laser but that the system can also show hysteresis and multi-stability.