Abstract
The geometry of ytterbium-doped active media in diode-pumped lasers can be calculated with the help of a few analytic expressions for the optimization of high-energy and high-efficiency Q-switched lasers. The first step in the optimization consists in the definition of a basic three-level model with which to estimate the energy to be extracted. In the second step, for validation purposes we use a side-pumped Yb3+:YAG slab at 2-kW peak pump power in the long-pulse mode of operation up to 1 J, and we Q switch it at reduced energies up to 100 mJ. The final step of this study provides fairly general relationships devoted the geometric sizing of optimized slabs that will be of some interest for the design of higher-energy ytterbium-doped Q-switched lasers.
© 2004 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
A. Lucca, G. Debourg, M. Jacquemet, F. Druon, F. Balembois, P. Georges, P. Camy, J. L. Doualan, and R. Moncorgé
Opt. Lett. 29(23) 2767-2769 (2004)
Hengli Zhang, Keming Du, Daijun Li, Peng Shi, Yongdong Wang, and Robert Diart
Appl. Opt. 43(14) 2940-2943 (2004)
A. Lucca, M. Jacquemet, F. Druon, F. Balembois, P. Georges, P. Camy, J. L. Doualan, and R. Moncorgé
Opt. Lett. 29(16) 1879-1881 (2004)