High energy flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser emitting at 1073.8 nm

A flash-lamp pumped Nd:YAG laser emitting 1073.8 nm is demonstrated. A thin film polarizer is inserted into the cavity for generating linearly polarized lasers. With incident pump energy of 69.6 J and pulse repetition rate of 1 Hz, output pulse energy of up to 487 mJ is obtained from a 1.0 at % Nd-doped Nd:YAG rod with a size of Ø6 mm × 110 mm. And the polarization ratio is more than 1000:1 at the output pulse energy of 487 mJ. The beam quality factors in the two orthogonal directions are 24.4 ± 0.2 and 24.6 ± 0.2, respectively.     

高功率二极管泵浦激光模块技术研究

 开展了二极管泵浦棒状Nd:YAG激光模块技术研究，在数值模拟激光模块增益分布的基础上对耦合结构进行了优化，初步研制出了高增益振荡级激光模块及高储能放大激光模块。实验结果表明，振荡级激光模块泵浦均匀且增益较高，TEM₀₀模输出情况下单脉冲能量为11.8mJ, 光-光效率为 15%；放大模块在500Hz重复频率下获得了单脉冲400mJ的储能。     

LD end pumped, actively mode locked and passively Q-switched Nd:YAP laser at 1341 nm

An end pumped Nd:YAP laser at 1341 nm is actively mode locked and passively Q-switched. Pumping was done with a pulsed high power laser diode with maximum power 425 W. V³⁺:YAG with 61% initial transmission served as saturable absorber, and an acousto-optic modulator is used for active mode locking. The output pulse train with 69 ns duration has a total energy of 3.2 mJ with ±4% shot-to-shot fluctuation. The peak output energy of a single mode locked pulse is 0.25 mJ. The pulse duration of a single mode locked pulse is less than 800 ps. The output laser beam is nearly diffraction limited with 1.6 mm diameter, and beam propagation factor M² about 1.3.     

660 nm单一波长Nd:YAG陶瓷激光器

 针对陶瓷晶体1319 nm的谱线设计了适合的谐振腔腔镜膜系参量,采用激光二极管列阵侧向抽运掺杂1.1at%、Φ3×50 mm的Nd:YAG陶瓷,利用色散棱镜及KTP晶体Ⅱ类匹配腔内倍频,研制了一台660 nm单一波长输出的高重频Nd:YAG陶瓷红光激光器.根据陶瓷晶体的热透镜焦距设计了谐振腔的各个参量,在重复频率为1000 Hz、单脉冲抽运能量约144 mJ时,获得了3.9 mJ的660 nm脉冲激光输出,总的光-光转换效率为2.71%.为进一步研究大功率、高效率的陶瓷红光激光器奠定了基础.     

High efficiency diode laser side-pumped Nd:YAG rod laser

High efficiency laser performance of 2 mm diameter and 20 mm long Nd:YAG crystal rod transversely pumped by laser diode array is presented. Using the directly side-coupled geometry enclosed by cylindrical pump cavity plated with gold, we obtained long pulse energy of 4.6 mJ corresponding to optical-to-optical slope efficiency of 37%. The complete solid-state Nd:YAG laser is described to be simple, compact and highly efficient. Q-switching of the laser is also reported.     

Experimental Study of a Diode-Pumped Nd:YAG Slab Laser Amplifier

We demonstrate a laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG slab amplifier with dimensions of 7×35×138.2 mm. The fluorescence is homogeneously distributed in the Nd:YAG amplifier, and a stored energy of 3.2 J can be achieved at 1,500 W pump power. For a repetition frequency of 200 Hz, 25 μJ injection polarized seed light, and 1,500 W pump power, the small signal gain reaches 12.66. At the same repetition frequency, 0.4 mJ with 27 ns bandwidth of injected seed-light energy and a 6×26 mm aperture, the output energy reaches 1.071 J. The extraction efficiency is 33.46% after four-pass amplification. An energy amplification from millijoules to joules is realized for the injected laser beam.     

多波长半导体激光阵列端泵Nd:YAG脉冲激光器

研制了无温控多波长激光二极管阵列端面泵浦Nd：YAG电光调Q激光器。采用4 000 W多波长准连续激光二极管阵列作为泵浦源,快轴准直镜与透镜导管作为泵浦耦合系统,端面泵浦φ6 mm×60 mm的Nd：YAG晶体,并采用RTP晶体进行电光调Q实验。在重复频率5 Hz、室温（25℃）时,激光器获得了最大输出能量74.4 mJ、脉宽15 ns的1 064 nm脉冲激光输出,光光转换效率达到11%。在25~55℃的工作温度下,对多波长LDA的光谱特征与激光器的输出特性作了测试,激光器输出能量随着工作温度的上升而先迅速下降再逐步保持稳定,当重复频率分别为5 Hz和10 Hz时,激光器对应的最低输出能量分别为48 mJ与37 mJ。     

Passively Q-switched 1.32-μm Nd:YAG laser with a V:YAG saturable absorber

By using a new saturable absorber V³⁺:YAG, a flash-lamp-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1.32 μm has been realized. The single-pulse energy and the pulse width of the output laser versus the pump energy are measured. With a cavity length of 440 mm and a pump energy of 43.4 J, the obtained single-pulse output energy and pulse width are 10 mJ and 86.9 ns, respectively, corresponding to a peak power of 115 kW.     

Depolarization loss compensated resonator for electro-optic Q-switched solid-state laser

A novel laser resonator for compensating depolarization loss that is due to thermally induced birefringence in active rod is reported. As this new structure being applied to an electro-optic Q-switched LDA side-pumped Nd:YAG laser operating at a repetition rate of 1000 Hz, substantial reduction in depolarization loss has been observed, the output pulse energy is improved about 56% from that of a traditional resonator without compensation structure. With incident pump energy of 450 mJ per pulse, linearly polarized output energy of 30 mJ per pulse is achieved, the pulse duration is less than 15 ns, and the peak power of pulse is about 2 MW. The extinction ratio of laser beam is better than 10:1, and the beam divergence is 1.3 mrad with beam diameter of around 2.5 mm.     

Compact passively q-switched Nd:YAG laser for 2D micromachining

We present a compact passively q-switched diode end pumped Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm for 2D micromachining. It consists of a 5.5 cm long plano-concave end pumped resonator carrying a Cr:YAG passive q-switch inside the cavity. With an optical conversion efficiency of 46 and 33% the laser emits 1.4 W in CW and 986 mW in q-switched mode at a current of 2.5 A. After using a 2 mm circular aperture the output is seen in TEM₀₀ mode with a single pulse energy of 5 mJ. The laser produced circular holes of diameter 75 μm in 25 μm thick Tantalum foils. Actual results of 1D and 2D machining are shown along with the diffraction patters of the samples.     

1 mJ Passively Q-switched Nd:YAB laser using a V:YAG crystal

We describe the design and operation of a diode-pumped compact and efficient Nd:YAB laser operating at 1338 nm. We use a passive Q-switch V:YAG crystal to achieve 1 mJ Q-switched pulses at the laser output. The laser elaborated provides an average power of 1.5 W in the CW regime and 1 W in Qswitched mode with an optical efficiency of 15 and 10%, respectively. A 65 mm plano-concave cavity is formed with an output in the TEM₀₀ mode. At a pulse width of 15 ns, the achieved peak power is 66 kW.     

200 mJ半导体端面泵浦MOPA激光器研究

采用高功率激光二极管阵列(LDA)端面泵浦Nd:YAG激光棒方式, 结合凸凹非稳腔的设计，获得20 Hz运转条件下小束散角激光输出平均能量约为83 mJ。以该激光为振荡源，同样采用LDA端面泵浦Nd:YAG激光棒的方式进行能量放大，组成LDA端面泵浦振荡-放大(MOPA)激光器，最终获得重频频率20 Hz、平均能量＞200 mJ、发散角＜2.1 mrad、能量波动＜±2.5%的脉冲激光输出。该激光器光光转换效率约为14.6%，体积为175×91×49 mm3，质量＜1 kg，激光经8倍发射天线后发散角＜0.3 mrad。     

670nm电光调Q陶瓷激光器

为了进一步研究Nd∶YAG陶瓷激光器的红光波段,研制了一台重复频率为1 000 Hz的670 nm电光调Q Nd∶YAG陶瓷激光器.采用三个激光二极管列阵侧面抽运掺杂浓度为1.1at%、尺寸为Φ3×50 mm2的Nd∶YAG陶瓷晶体,根据实验测量的陶瓷晶体热透镜焦距,优化设计了折叠腔的各个参量,并对陶瓷晶体及倍频晶体热...     

High-energy quasi-phase-matched optical parametric oscillation in a periodically poled MgO:LiNbO3 device with a 5 mm x 5 mm aperture

Fabrication of a 5 mm thick periodically poled MgO-doped LiNbO3 device with a 32.1 microm period for mid-infrared generation was demonstrated. The periodic structure was evaluated by measurement of second-harmonic generation with the d31 coefficient. Optical parametric oscillation using this device with an uncoated 5 mm x 5 mm aperture and a 36 mm effective length realized a high-energy output of 77 mJ for both signal (wavelength 1.83 microm) and idler (2.54 microm) waves with a 72% slope efficiency at 110 mJ pumping of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a 12 ns pulse duration.     

High-Gain Nanosecond Vortex Laser

We demonstrate a high-gain vortex power amplifier with the double-pass configuration based on the rod Nd:YAG crystal. In the experiments, a nanosecond vortex seed beam is converted from a conventional Q-switched Nd:YAG laser output with a spiral phase plate and then amplified with the Nd:YAG amplifier stage. A maximum amplification output energy up to 163.5 mJ is achieved at 20 Hz with a 3.2-ns pulse, corresponding to an amplification factor of 81.8. Further discussions are provided to find ways of increasing the power scaling.     

Side-pumped continuous-wave Cr:Nd:YAG ceramic solar laser

To clarify the advantages of Cr:Nd:YAG ceramics rods in solar-pumped lasers, a fused silica light guide with rectangular cross-section is coupled to a compound V-shaped cavity within which a 7 mm diameter 0.1 at.% Cr:1.0 at.% Nd:YAG ceramic rod is uniformly pumped. The highly concentrated solar radiation at the focal spot of a 2 m diameter stationary parabolic mirror is transformed into a uniform pump radiation by the light guide. Efficient pump light absorption is achieved by pumping uniformly the ceramic rod within the V-shaped cavity. Optimum pumping parameters and solar laser output powers are found through ZEMAX^© non-sequential ray-tracing and LASCAD^© laser cavity analysis codes. 33.6 W continuous-wave laser power is measured, corresponding to 1.32 times enhancement over our previous results with a 4 mm diameter Nd:YAG single-crystal rod. High slope efficiency of 2.6 % is also registered. The solar laser output performances of both the ceramic and the single-crystal rods are finally compared, revealing the relative advantage of the Cr:Nd:YAG rod in conversion efficiency. Low scattering coefficient of 0.0018 cm^?1 is deduced for the ceramic rod. Heat load is considered as a key factor affecting the ceramic laser output performance.     

种子注入环形腔人眼安全KTP参变振荡器的研究

利用电光调Q的Nd:YAG激光器抽运非临界相位匹配(θ=90°,φ=0°)环形腔KTP光学参变振荡器(OPO),实现了高能量人眼安全波段的1.57μm激光输出。理论与实验结果表明,减小谐振腔长度和注入种子源激光可以有效降低阈值,提高输出能量。当Nd:YAG激光器抽运能量为88mJ时,注入种子源功率由0mW增加到6mW,输出能量由8.8mJ增加到14mJ。当抽运能量为167.7mJ,注入种子源功率达到6mW时,最大输出能量达到46mJ,峰值功率7.44MW。     

Diode-end-pumped frequency-doubled Nd:YAP/Cr:YAG laser using a KTP crystal

We present a design for a compact laser-diode-end-pumped Nd:YAP/Cr:YAG q-switched laser in a plano?Cconcave cavity configuration. With an optical-to-optical efficiency of 35%, this laser provides an average output of 1.2 W with 13 mJ at 1080 nm. After that, the laser is frequency doubled by replacing the output coupler with a flat KTP crystal to achieve an output of 8 mJ in 8 ns at 540 nm. At a peak power of 1 MW, the laser emits linearly polarized output with an average power of 800 mW. The calculated M² value is 1.3, the output is very stable, and the laser operates in the TEM₀₀ mode.     

Absorption and thermal study of dental enamel when irradiated with Nd:YAG laser with the aim of caries prevention

It is widely recognized that Nd:YAG can increase enamel resistance to demineralization; however, the safe parameters and conditions that enable the application of Nd:YAG laser irradiation in vivo are still unknown. The aim of this study was to determine a dye as a photoabsorber for Nd:YAG laser and to verify in vitro a safe condition of Nd:YAG irradiation for caries prevention. Fifty-eight human teeth were selected. In a first morphological study, four dyes (waterproof India ink., iron oxide, caries indicator and coal paste) were tested before Nd:YAG laser irradiation, under two different irradiation conditions: 60 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz (84.9 J/cm²); 80 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz (113.1 J/cm²). In a second study, the enamel surface and pulp chamber temperatures were evaluated during laser irradiations. All dyes produced enamel surface melting, with the exception of the caries indicator, and coal paste was the only dye that could be completely removed. All irradiation conditions produced temperature increases of up to 615.08°C on the enamel surface. Nd:YAG laser irradiation at 60 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz and 84.9 J/cm² promoted no harmful temperature increase in the pulp chamber (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Among all dyes tested, the coal paste was an efficient photoabsorber for Nd:YAG irradiation, considered feasible for clinical practice. Nd:YAG laser at 84.9 J/cm² can be indicated as a safe parameter for use in caries prevention.     

Electro-optic Q-switched intracavity optical parametric oscillator at 1.53 μm based on KTiOAsO4

An eye-safe, high peak power optical parameter oscillator (OPO) intracavity pumped by electro-optic Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is presented. This OPO is based on a 20 mm length KTiOAsO₄ crystal with non-critical phase matching (θ = 90°, ?=0°) cut. An aperture ∅3 mm acted as limiting diaphragm to get good beam quality of pumping laser. The output energy of 25 mJ at the signal wavelength 1.53 μm was obtained with repetition rate of 1 Hz. The highest peak power intensity was up to 88 MW/cm² with pulse width of 4 ns. Without diaphragm, the maximum output energy of 90 mJ was achieved with area of light spot (∅6 mm) four times larger, but the peak power intensity was lower.