Power scaling of fundamental-mode thin-disk lasers using intracavity deformable mirrors

Since its first demonstration almost two decades ago, the concept of the thin-disk laser has proven its excellent power scaling properties, enabling output powers in the multi-kW-range at decent beam quality. However, power scalability in fundamental-mode operation is limited by severe diffraction l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics letters 2012-12, Vol.37 (24), p.5033-5035
Main Authors: Piehler, Stefan, Weichelt, Birgit, Voss, Andreas, Ahmed, Marwan Abdou, Graf, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beams (radiation)
Crystals
Deformable mirrors
Diffraction
Disks
Distortion
Lasers
Wave fronts
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Summary:Since its first demonstration almost two decades ago, the concept of the thin-disk laser has proven its excellent power scaling properties, enabling output powers in the multi-kW-range at decent beam quality. However, power scalability in fundamental-mode operation is limited by severe diffraction losses arising from thermally induced aspherical wavefront distortions in the pumped laser crystal. In order to compensate for these wavefront distortions, we have developed a deformable mirror concept based on pneumatic actuation, providing a step-like surface deformation with adaptable magnitude. Using one of these mirrors, we have achieved output powers as high as 815 W at nearly diffraction-limited beam quality (M2
ISSN:0146-9592
1539-4794
DOI:10.1364/OL.37.005033