Reduction of thermal effect in hetero composite laser materials

In the field of solid state lasers, thermal management has always been an important issue. A new low-cost method to bond optical materials based on sol-gel technique has been developed. Laser actions have been generated by new hetero-composite laser materials elaborated from chemically and mechanically different materials . Two composite systems have been studied: Er/Yb glass||sapphire and Nd:YVO₄||sapphire. In the case of Er/Yb glass||sapphire composite, laser action has been achieved and low optical losses due to the interlayer have been measured. The second presented system is Nd:YVO₄||sapphire. Laser action without extra losses has been achieved and output power has been increased by 50%. Thermal mappings exhibit a reduced thermal load on the vanadate crystal due to this bonding technique. Laser mode quality is improved for high pumping powers and thermal lens is decreased by 30%. The presentation will include interface material characterization and two laser realizations with a specific focus on thermal issues.