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http://dx.doi.org/10.3807/JOSK.2012.16.1.053

Development and Characterization of a 400-W Slab-type Nd:YAG Gain Module  

Cha, Yong-Ho (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Lee, Sungman (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Lim, Gwon (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Baik, Sung-Hoon (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Kwon, Sung-Ok (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Cha, Byung-Heon (Quantum Optics Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)
Lee, Jung-Hwan (Agency for Defense Development)
Kang, Eung-Cheol (Agency for Defense Development)
Publication Information
Journal of the Optical Society of Korea / v.16, no.1, 2012 , pp. 53-56 More about this Journal
Abstract
We have developed a slab-type Nd:YAG gain module based on the techniques of conduction cooling and end pumping. The Nd:YAG slab is end-capped on both ends by undoped pure YAG and is pumped through the end-caps by stacked arrays of laser diode bars. The slab's surfaces of total internal reflection are in contact on both sides with microchannel cooling blocks which are cooled by water circulation. The power oscillator based on the gain module generates more than 400 W at 1-kW pumping with a slope efficiency of 55%. The small-signal gain of the gain module is 10 in a single zig-zag pass, and the amplified beam shows a near diffraction-limited beam quality.
Keywords
Nd:YAG lasers; Slab lasers;
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