Abstract
Using dual-crystal, thermally compensated, LiNbO3, and KTiOPO4, (KTP) electro-optic modulators, we have demonstrated 250 and 65 watts, respectively, of Q-switched average power at thermal loadings approaching 1 kW/cm2.1−2 The low surface damage threshold of LiNbO3, and the limited aperture of KTP poses a problem for devices operating at moderate fluences (3-5 J/cm2) or requiring apertures greater than 2 cm2. For these applications, KD2PO4 (DKDP) remains as the Using dual-crystal, thermally compensated, LiNbO3, and KTiOPO4, (KTP) electro-optic modulators, we have demonstrated 250 and 65 watts, respectively, of Q-switched average power at thermal loadings approaching 1 kW/cm2.1−2 The low surface damage threshold of LiNbO3, and the limited aperture of KTP poses a problem for devices operating at moderate fluences (3-5 J/cm2) or requiring apertures greater than 2 cm2. For these applications, KD2PO4 (DKDP) remains as the only electro-optic crystal available in large apertures with high optical homogeneity and with damage thresholds exceeding 10 J/cm. However, the relatively low thermal conductivity, high near-infrared optical absorption, and low fracture strength makes DKDP difficult to use for high average power applications.3 The Mercury laser project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is a 100), 10 Hz (1 kW) prototype of a potential inertia] fusion energy driver.11 A moderate aperture (3×5 cm2) electro-optic cell which can handle 100 W of average power is required for use as an isolation device. We have built and tested a scaleable, half-aperture, dual DKDP crystal Pockels cell, which, in off-line testing, exhibits less than 0.5% depolarization when thermally loaded with a 100 W near-infrared laser.
© 2002 Optical Society of America
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