Abstract

We have initiated an investigation of the factors that influence scaling of cw Ti:sapphire laser operation to higher powers than have been reported to date.^1,2 High pump levels were achieved by modifying a Spectra-Physics model 3900 Tusapphire laser as illustrated in Figure 1 to permit simultaneous pumping of the faser rod by two argon-ion lasers. These were capable of delivering a total of 54 W to the Ti:sapphire laser, in normal operation, a single pump beam transmits through one of the interior, dichroic mirrors of the z-fold resonator. The second pump beam was introduced through the opposite interior, dichroic mirror and propagated counter to the other pump beam through the Brewster-cut rod. One resonator arm contained the birefringent filter tuner provided by the manufacturer, and we inserted a 5-mm-thick uncoated etalon in the other arm for additional line narrowing. The rod was cooled by conduction through its copper holder to circulating coolant fluid.

© 1989 Optical Society of America