Abstract
Using the scalable diode end-pumping technology previously developed at LLNL we have built and demonstrated a 2-µm Tm3+:YAG laser system capable of generating 26 W of cw output power. Figure 1 shows a layout of the system. The end-pumping technology used is the same as was previously used to demonstrate a 100-mJ Q-switched Nd:YLF laser.1 A microlens conditioned stack of laser diode arrays having an overall aperture of 2.5 cm×1 cm and consisting of 25 silicon microchannel cooled modules, each carrying a 1-cm-long laser diode bar and microlens as shown in Fig. 2, has its output radiation delivered to the end of a Tm: YAG laser rod that is 2.5-mm in diameter and 5-cm long and doped with 4% Tm. The microlens conditioned pump radiation is delivered to the end of the laser rod with very high efficiency by the lens duct that works by both lensing the conditioned pump light at its curved input face and then ducting the pump light down to the rod aperture by total internal reflection off its canted planar sides. The laser rod itself has a barrel polish over its entire length allowing the pump light that enters the rod to be efficiently ducted down the rod due to HR confinement.
© 1996 Optical Society of America
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