A study of techniques for single frequency operation of diode-pumped Nd: YAG lasers
A study of techniques for single frequency operation of diode-pumped Nd: YAG lasers
The use of diode lasers to longitudinally pump Nd:YAG lasers and other solid-state lasers is becoming an increasingly widespread practice. In this thesis various aspects of the operation of these lasers are studied and in particular, techniques by which single frequency operation can be achieved. In the first part of this thesis the effects of the non-uniform transverse mode profiles of the pump laser and lasing mode on the performance of a four-level laser are considered. Expressions for threshold pump power, slope efficiency and relaxation oscillation frequency are derived using a simple rate equation model. The resulting expressions provide sufficient insight into laser behaviour to allow the design of efficient diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers. The thesis then goes on to consider various techniques for single axial mode selection in low-gain diode-pumped solid state lasers. The two most attractive techniques, which involve the use of a `twisted-mode' resonator or a unidirectional ring laser, have been investigated experimentally for the case of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. The design and performance of each of these lasers for both continuous-wave (cw) and Q-switched single frequency operation is discussed. In the case of the ring laser, by using a novel low-loss resonator design, cw single frequency powers of 80mW and Q-switched pulse energies of 20μJ were achieved by pumping with a 500 mW diode laser array. Subsequent amplification of the Q-switched pulses by double-passing a conventional, high-gain, flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG amplifier resulted in pulse energies of 12mJ. Theory predicts that pulse energies in excess of 40mJ should be possible for an optimized system. This suggests that the combination of a miniature, Q-switched, diode-pumped ring laser and a simple amplifier may be an attractive alternative to an injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser for the production of single frequency Q-switched pulse energies in the range 10mJ to 100mJ.
University of Southampton
1990
Clarkson, William Andrew
(1990)
A study of techniques for single frequency operation of diode-pumped Nd: YAG lasers.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The use of diode lasers to longitudinally pump Nd:YAG lasers and other solid-state lasers is becoming an increasingly widespread practice. In this thesis various aspects of the operation of these lasers are studied and in particular, techniques by which single frequency operation can be achieved. In the first part of this thesis the effects of the non-uniform transverse mode profiles of the pump laser and lasing mode on the performance of a four-level laser are considered. Expressions for threshold pump power, slope efficiency and relaxation oscillation frequency are derived using a simple rate equation model. The resulting expressions provide sufficient insight into laser behaviour to allow the design of efficient diode-laser-pumped solid-state lasers. The thesis then goes on to consider various techniques for single axial mode selection in low-gain diode-pumped solid state lasers. The two most attractive techniques, which involve the use of a `twisted-mode' resonator or a unidirectional ring laser, have been investigated experimentally for the case of a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser. The design and performance of each of these lasers for both continuous-wave (cw) and Q-switched single frequency operation is discussed. In the case of the ring laser, by using a novel low-loss resonator design, cw single frequency powers of 80mW and Q-switched pulse energies of 20μJ were achieved by pumping with a 500 mW diode laser array. Subsequent amplification of the Q-switched pulses by double-passing a conventional, high-gain, flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG amplifier resulted in pulse energies of 12mJ. Theory predicts that pulse energies in excess of 40mJ should be possible for an optimized system. This suggests that the combination of a miniature, Q-switched, diode-pumped ring laser and a simple amplifier may be an attractive alternative to an injection-seeded Nd:YAG laser for the production of single frequency Q-switched pulse energies in the range 10mJ to 100mJ.
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Published date: 1990
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Local EPrints ID: 458293
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/458293
PURE UUID: 6167168f-2142-43b3-b4a4-5e892bdf8b68
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 16:46
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 16:46
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Author:
William Andrew Clarkson
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