High-power edge pumped Yb:YAG single crystal/YAG ceramics hybrid microchip laser

Takunori Taira; Masaki Tsunekane

doi:10.1117/12.667632

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12 May 2006 High-power edge pumped Yb:YAG single crystal/YAG ceramics hybrid microchip laser

Takunori Taira, Masaki Tsunekane

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Proceedings Volume 6216, Laser Source and System Technology for Defense and Security II; 621607 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.667632
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Recently, the advantages of Yb:YAG materials for high-power and short-pulse lasers are well recognized because of its low thermal loading and broad emission bandwidth even if it is a quasi-four-level system. A face-cooled microchip, equivalent configuration to the active mirror, can reduce the thermal problems. Additionally, it is possible to minimize the re-absorption loss in Yb:YAG due to its short active medium in compensation for the pump absorption degradation. Our approach to this problem is to employ an edge-pumping configuration. Pump light propagates from the edge of outer transparent composite ceramic YAG wave-guide to the internal single crystal Yb:YAG small core without optical loss by total internal reflection. Proper designs of core size and Yb concentration allow efficient pump absorption in the core. It should be emphasized that the absorption ratio of pump light in the core does not depend on the thickness of the microchip then thinner microchip allows higher pump power absorption intensity and higher gain in the core. The sintering method has advantages in composite structure fabrication due to its solid-solution nature. It is attractive for actual applications because of low fabrication cost by mass production and short delivery time compared with conventional diffusion bonding. In this research, we'd like to report about >300 W CW laser operation in edge-pumped 300μm-thick, single crystal Yb:YAG/ceramic YAG composite microchip. Further power scaling possibility will be discussed.

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Takunori Taira and Masaki Tsunekane "High-power edge pumped Yb:YAG single crystal/YAG ceramics hybrid microchip laser", Proc. SPIE 6216, Laser Source and System Technology for Defense and Security II, 621607 (12 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.667632

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