Abstract

A novel technique for scaling end-pumped lasers is demonstrated using three diode-laser arrays to pump a single Nd:YAG laser. Diffraction-limited output with a 58% slope efficiency was obtained. Simple arguments indicate that this method should allow at least an order of magnitude increase in pump power, compared with that from a single high-power diode array, to be focused into the same fixed-mode volume of the pumped laser. Such a scheme may be particularly useful with low-gain, quasi-three-level, or tunable lasers.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

Scalable diode-end-pumping technology applied to a 100-MJ Q-switched Nd³⁺:YLF laser oscillator

R. Beach, P. Reichert, W. Benett, B. Freitas, S. Mitchell, A. Velsko, J. Davin, and R. Solarz
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Fiber-bundle coupled, diode end-pumped Nd:YAG laser

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