Modeling of end-pumped CW quasi-three-level lasers

Author

Lim, Changhwan ; Izawa, Yasukazu

Author_Institution

Inst. for Laser Technol., Osaka, Japan

Volume

38

Issue

3

fYear

2002

fDate

3/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

306

Lastpage

311

Abstract

A plane wave model has been developed to describe the dynamic behavior of end-pumped CW quasi-three-level lasers. We have derived algebraic equations and analytic expressions from a set of coupled rate equations. The analytic expression predicts that characteristics of a laser are affected not only by the Boltzmann occupation factor of the pump states, but also by that of the laser states. To illustrate the utility of the model, an end-pumped Yb:YAG laser oscillator was investigated and optimized. We have examined the threshold value of the pump beam, pump beam depletion in the gain medium, optimal crystal length, and laser output power for a given pump power. Finally, we have shown the pump and laser intensities and the population of each manifold as a function of crystal length

Keywords

laser theory; optical pumping; optimisation; solid lasers; ytterbium; Boltzmann occupation factor; YAG:Yb; YAl5O12:Yb; Yb:YAG laser oscillator; algebraic equations; analytic expressions; coupled rate equations; crystal length; dynamic behavior; end-pumped CW quasi-three-level laser modeling; end-pumped CW quasi-three-level lasers; gain medium; laser intensities; laser output power; optimal crystal length; plane wave model; pump beam; pump power; pump states; Bandwidth; Diode lasers; Equations; Laser beams; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Laser theory; Oscillators; Power lasers; Pump lasers;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.985572

Filename

985572