Efficient 2-µm Tm:YAP Q-switched and CW lasers

A. D. Hays; Brian Cole; Vernon King; Lew Goldberg

doi:10.1117/12.2289996

15 February 2018 Efficient 2-μm Tm:YAP Q-switched and CW lasers

A. D. Hays, Brian Cole, Vernon King, Lew Goldberg

Proceedings Volume 10511, Solid State Lasers XXVII: Technology and Devices; 1051102 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2289996
Event: SPIE LASE, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Highly efficient, diode pumped Tm:YAP lasers generating emission in the 1.85-1.94 μm range are demonstrated and characterized. Laser optical efficiencies of 51% and 45%, and electrical efficiencies of 31% and 25% are achieved under CW and Q-switched operation, respectively. Laser performance was characterized for maximum average powers up to 20W with various cavity configurations, all using an intra-cavity lens to compensate for thermal lensing in the Tm:YAP crystal. Q-switched lasers incorportating a Cr:ZnS saturable absorber (SA), resonant mechanical mirror scanner, or acousto-optic modulator were characterized. To enable higher average output powers, measurements of the thermal lens were conducted for the Tm:YAP crystal as a function of pump power and were compared to values predicted by a finiteelement- analysis (FEA) thermal-optical model of the Tm:YAP crystal. A resonator model is developed to incorporate this calculated thermal lens and its effect on laser performance. This paper will address approaches for improving the performance of Tm:YAP lasers, and means for achieving increased average output powers while maintaining high optical efficiency for both SA and mechanical Q-switching.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

A. D. Hays, Brian Cole, Vernon King, and Lew Goldberg "Efficient 2-μm Tm:YAP Q-switched and CW lasers", Proc. SPIE 10511, Solid State Lasers XXVII: Technology and Devices, 1051102 (15 February 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2289996

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