Temperature and gain dynamics in flashlamp-pumped Er:YAG

A novel optical transmission method was used for measuring transient temperature dynamics inside an Er:YAG laser crystal during optical pumping with flashlamp pulses of different duration and spectral composition. Time-resolved measurements of the crystal gain at 2.94 /spl mu/m were also performed for the same set of pumping conditions. The results are compared with predictions of a theoretical model for gain and temperature dynamics during optical pumping of Er:YAG. A good spatial resolution of the implemented temperature measurement method was utilized also to determine the lateral temperature profiles inside the laser rod under various pumping conditions.