Title :
Geometrical transformation of linear diode-laser arrays for longitudinal pumping of solid-state lasers
Author :
Leger, James R. ; Goltsos, William C.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng., Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis, MN, USA
fDate :
4/1/1992 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
A 200-stripe linear diode-laser array is geometrically transformed into a two-dimensional, symmetric virtual source with symmetric divergence to end pump a Nd:YAG laser. The geometrical transformation is performed by two planes of diffractive optical elements separated by a 2.6-cm gap. Discounting optical losses, a TEM00 mode slope efficiency of 56% is demonstrated. Methods of increasing the throughput efficiency of the diffractive elements (currently approximately 50% per element,) are explored. A theoretical model for estimating the maximum useful pump array size in longitudinally pumped rod and fiber lasers shows that this pump geometry is close to optimum
Keywords :
neodymium; optical pumping; semiconductor laser arrays; solid lasers; 2D; 56 percent; Nd:YAG laser; TEM00 mode slope efficiency; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; diffractive optical elements; end pump; fiber lasers; linear diode-laser arrays; longitudinal pumping; maximum useful pump array size; pump geometry; rod lasers; solid-state lasers; symmetric divergence; symmetric virtual source; throughput efficiency; Diodes; Geometrical optics; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Optical arrays; Optical diffraction; Optical losses; Optical pumping; Pump lasers; Semiconductor laser arrays;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
