Progress towards high-power, high-brightness neodymium-based thin-disk lasers

The characteristics of thin-disk lasers utilising neodymium-doped gain media are examined both experimentally and theoretically. The properties of the thin-disk geometry are shown to be rather different for these materials compared to the more commonly used ytterbium-doped media. Parametric studies indicate the potential benefits of Nd:GdVO 4 and this is backed-up by initial experimental results. Physical optics modelling is used to map-out routes to high brightness, rather than merely high power. The particular advantages of composite gain media are highlighted.