High Efficiency Multi-kW Diode-Side-Pumped Nd：YAG Laser with Reduced Thermal Effect

• Published in: Chinese physics letters Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 83 - 85
• Main Author: 徐一汀 许家林 崔前进 谢仕永 鲁远甫 薄勇 彭钦军 崔大复 许祖彦
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: IOP Publishing 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Beams (radiation); Conversion; Coolants; Cooling; Gold; Lasers; Modules; Nd：YAG激光器; Oscillators; 二极管侧面泵浦; 光转换效率; 千瓦; 散热效率; 激光模块; 热效应; 高输出功率
• ISSN: 0256-307X; 1741-3540
• DOI: 10.1088/0256-307X/27/2/024201

We demonstrate a high efficiency multi-kW diode-side-pumped Nd：YAG laser. High cooling efficiency of the diode-side-pumped module in the laser is achieved. The middle portion of the Nd：YAG rod in the module is cooled by a coolant jet with screwed side surface, and the end-caps of the rod without screwed side surface are cooled by Au coated on the surface. The thermal effect of the laser rod is reduced, which leads to high output power with high optical-optical conversion efficiency. By using three identical Nd：YAG laser modules, an output power of 4.2 kW and beam quality of 58 mm＆#12539;mrad with an optical-optical efficiency of 35% at 1064 nm is obtained in a laser oscillator. By using four identical Nd：YAG laser modules, an output power of 3.1 kW and beam quality of 17 mm＆#12539;mrad with an optical-optical efficiency of 25.8% is demonstrated in a master oscillator power-amplifier system.