Title :
Comparative Performance of Passively Q-Switched Diode-Pumped Yb 3+-Doped Tungstate and Garnet Lasers Using Cr 4+:YAG Saturable Absorber
Author :
Kalisky, Yehoshua ; Kalisky, Ofra ; Rachum, Uzi ; Boulon, Georges ; Brenier, Alain
Author_Institution :
Nucl. Res. Center Negev, Beer Sheva
Abstract :
We investigated the continuous wave (CW) free-running and repetitive modulation in the kilohertz frequency domain of a passively Q-switched diode-pumped Yb:YAG, Yb:GGG, and Yb:KYW lasers by using Cr4+:YAG as a saturable absorber. The results presented in this paper are focused on the design of a passively Q-switched Yb-doped garnets or Yb-doped tungstates microlasers. The free-running performance of Yb:YAG, Yb:GGG, Yb:KGW, and Yb:KYW were characterized, and experimental parameters such as gain and loss were evaluated. We carried out a fit between our experimental results and an existing numerical model, which relates the experimental and the physical parameters of the ytterbium diode-pumped system to the minimal threshold pumping power. The best performance among the laser crystals was obtained for Yb:YAG laser. A maximum peak power of ap4.5 kW at an average output power of 1.32 W was extracted with an extraction efficiency of ap25%.
Keywords :
Q-switching; chromium; gadolinium compounds; microcavity lasers; optical losses; optical modulation; optical pumping; optical saturable absorption; solid lasers; ytterbium; Cr4+:YAG saturable absorber; GdGG:Yb; KGd(WO4)2:Yb; KYb(WO4)2:Yb; YAG:Cr; YAG:Yb; Yb:YAG laser; Yb3+-doped garnet lasers; Yb3+-doped tungstate lasers; continuous wave modulation; diode-pumped lasers; free- running modulation; kilohertz frequency domain; laser crystals; microlasers; optical gain; optical loss; passively Q-switching; power 1.32 W; power 4.5 kW; repetitive modulation; Chromium; Diodes; Frequency domain analysis; Garnets; Laser modes; Laser theory; Numerical models; Performance gain; Performance loss; Pump lasers; Diode-pumped lasers; Yb:GGG; Yb:KYW laser; Yb:YAG; passive Q-switching;
Journal_Title :
Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JSTQE.2007.896084
