Open AccessApproach for power scaling solid-state lasers with intracavity motion
Author(s) -
Matthew Eckold,
Jacob I. Mackenzie,
W.A. Clarkson
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
optics letters/optics index
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.524
H-Index - 272
eISSN - 1071-2763
pISSN - 0146-9592
DOI - 10.1364/ol.42.000775
Subject(s) - laser , optics , lasing threshold , laser power scaling , materials science , scaling , resonator , thermal , solid state laser , laser pumping , active laser medium , power (physics) , optoelectronics , physics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics , meteorology
Solid-state lasers are typically limited by adverse thermal effects within the gain medium. In this Letter we describe a new method for dramatically reducing thermal effects in an end-pumped solid-state laser by incorporating a rotating intracavity periscope in the resonator to spatially separate the lasing and thermal processes. In contrast with previous examples of moving solid-state lasers, our approach keeps the gain medium stationary, simplifying the heat removal arrangement. This scheme has been applied to an Nd:YAG laser, yielding an output power of 120 W at 1.064 μm, limited by available pump power. Analysis suggests that scaling to much higher power is feasible with the appropriate laser design.