Title :
Heat generation in Nd:YVO4 with and without laser action
Author :
Blows, Justin L. ; Omatsu, Takashige ; Dawes, Judith ; Pask, Helen ; Tateda, Mitsuhiro
Author_Institution :
Centre for Lasers & Applications, Macquarie Univ., North Ryde, NSW, Australia
Abstract :
We present quantitative interferometric measurements of thermal lensing in a diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ crystal with and without laser action. The thermal loading increased by two times when laser action was inhibited. The thermal loading was strongly dependent on upper laser-level loss mechanisms (e.g. nonradiative decay, quenching, and Auger recombination).
Keywords :
Auger effect; electron-hole recombination; laser variables measurement; light interferometry; neodymium; optical pumping; optical saturable absorption; solid lasers; thermal blooming; yttrium compounds; Auger recombination; Nd:YVO/sub 4/ laser action; YVO/sub 4/:Nd; diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ laser crystal; heat generation; interferometric measurements; nonradiative decay; quenching; thermal lensing; thermal loading; upper laser-level loss mechanisms; Crystals; Diodes; Laser excitation; Lenses; Nonlinear distortion; Power lasers; Probes; Pump lasers; Thermal lensing; Thermal loading;
Journal_Title :
Photonics Technology Letters, IEEE
