Thermal lens effects in an Er3+:YAG laser with crystalline fiber geometry

• Published in: Applied physics. B, Lasers and optics Vol. 94; no. 3; pp. 451 - 457
• Main Author: Eichhorn, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.03.2009; Springer
• Subjects: Beam characteristics: profile, intensity, and power; spatial pattern formation; Beam trapping, self-focusing and defocusing; self-phase modulation; Crystal structure; Diode-pumped lasers; Doped-insulator lasers and other solid state lasers; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Holes; Hysteresis; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Lasers; Lenses; Nonlinear optics; Optical Devices; Optics; Optimization; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Pumps; Quantum Optics; 42.55.-f; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.-v; Beam profiles; Total internal reflection; Output power; Thermal lens; Temperature effects; Solid state lasers; YAG laser; Doped materials; Diode pumping; Erbium additions
• ISSN: 0946-2171; 1432-0649
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-008-3292-z

A resonantly diode-pumped high-power continuous-wave Er 3+ :YAG laser with a crystalline fiber geometry based on total-internal-reflection pump guiding is reported. Up to 9.4 W of output power could be generated and a slope efficiency of 46.8% was achieved. Intrinsic efficiencies reached up to 48.8% and an optimum outcoupling of ∼20% was found. A strong thermal lens was observed and cavity stability and hysteresis effects were studied.