Abstract

Based on the theory of semianalytical thermal analysis, the temperature field and thermal lens effects within a diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG rods were investigated. A general expression of the temperature field within Nd:YAG rods was obtained through the analysis of a diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG rod, using what we believe to be a new method to solve a heat conduction equation of isotropic material. Calculating the thermal focal length within the diode-end-pumped Nd:YAG rods was done by an analysis of the additional optical path differences caused by heat, which was in good agreement with experimental results. These results show that the maximum temperature on the pump face of Nd:YAG rods is $51.9°\text{C}$ and the thermal focal length is $\text{22 .4 cm}$ when the output power of the diode laser is 10 W. Under the same conditions, the experimental value of the thermal focal length is $\text{21 .0 cm}$. The difference between the theoretical analysis and the experimental result is only 6.7%. Results from this work can provide the theoretical basis for the optimized design of diode-end-pumped all-solid-state lasers.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

Semianalytical thermal analysis of the heat capacity of YAG laser rods

Peng Shi, Bing Bai, Linli Zhang, Long Li, and Yu Xin
Appl. Opt. 48(35) 6701-6707 (2009)

Semianalytical thermal analysis on a Nd:YVO₄ crystal

Peng Shi, Wen Chen, Long Li, and Ansheng Gan
Appl. Opt. 46(19) 4046-4051 (2007)

Thermal Lensing in a Nd:YAG Laser Rod

W. Koechner
Appl. Opt. 9(11) 2548-2553 (1970)

Revising the formula of thermal focal length in a side-pumped laser rod by experiments

Xiaobo Wang, Xiaojun Xu, Xiao Li, and Qisheng Lu
Appl. Opt. 46(22) 5237-5240 (2007)

Reduction of thermal effects in a diode-end-pumped, composite Nd:YAG rod with a sapphire end

Masaki Tsunekane, Noboru Taguchi, and Humio Inaba
Appl. Opt. 37(15) 3290-3294 (1998)