Abstract
High-power and high-efficiency all-solid-state lasers based on LD pumping are current subjects of active R&D. Multi-kW LD-pumped Nd:YAG laser systems are much expected as welding, cutting and drilling tools. In these applications, total efficiency is one of the most important key-factor. In our previous paper,1 we reported that total efficiency of 19% was successfully achieved in a LD-pumped Nd: YAG rod laser, but small output power less than 1kW was demonstrated because of its short size Nd:YAG rod. In order to achieve the further high-power operation, we experimentally investigated the laser characteristics with the case of the long size Nd:YAG rod (8-inch), and finally demonstrated 5.1 kW laser output and total efficiency of 20.5% with the compact three-head configuration. To our knowledge, this is the most excellent result for the LD- pumped Nd:YAG rod laser. In this paper, first, we report the laser characteristics with 8-inch Nd:YAG rod, after that we discuss the stable and effective configuration of the multi-head oscillator.
© 2000 Optical Society of America
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