Title :
Miniaturization and Power Scaling of Fundamental Mode Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers
Author :
Hunziker, Lukas E. ; Ihli, Chris ; Steingrube, Daniel S.
Author_Institution :
Coherent Inc., Santa Clara
Abstract :
We demonstrate that TEM00 mode optically pumped semiconductor lasers (OPSLs) may be scaled to tens of watts in the visible wavelength range using laser cavities an order of magnitude smaller than those of conventional solid-state lasers. In particular, we show that the output power may be scaled linearly by increasing the number of optically pumped semiconductor (OPS) devices and derive a unique solution for a dynamically stable resonator that is independent of the physical cavity length and internal design. This enables miniaturization of high-power OPS lasers to ~1 cm footprints without compromising many resonator performance metrics. The results are applied to demonstrate a 15-mm footprint cavity producing 7.3-W output at 486 nm, and a cavity with two OPS chips with 24-W output at 561 nm. In addition, we show that efficient TEM00 mode performance may be realized using free-space-coupled, high-power laser diode bars. Single-frequency operation is also demonstrated, and an rms noise level less than 0.01% is achieved.
Keywords :
laser beams; laser cavity resonators; laser modes; laser noise; optical pumping; semiconductor lasers; TEM00 mode performance; dynamically stable resonator; high-power laser diode bars; laser cavities; miniaturization; optically pumped semiconductor lasers; power 24 W; power 7.3 W; power scaling; rms noise level; single-frequency operation; size 15 mm; wavelength 486 nm; wavelength 561 nm; Laser excitation; Laser modes; Laser theory; Optical pumping; Optical resonators; Power generation; Power lasers; Pump lasers; Semiconductor lasers; Solid lasers; Blue laser; TEM$_{00}$ mode solid state laser; green laser; optically pumped semiconductor laser (OPSL); vertical external cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL);
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JSTQE.2007.896631