Performance comparison of Yb:YAG ceramics and crystal gain material in a large-area, high-energy, high average-power diode-pumped laser

We compare for the first time the influence of different Yb:YAG gain media on the performance of a large-area, high average-power laser system with an output energy of up to 6 J. Monocrystalline slabs grown by a new technique without central growth defect are compared with ceramics. Small signal gai...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics express 2020-02, Vol.28 (3), p.3636-3646
Main Authors: Divoky, M, Pilar, J, Hanus, M, Navratil, P, Sawicka-Chyla, M, De Vido, M, Phillips, P J, Ertel, K, Butcher, T, Fibrich, M, Green, J T, Koselja, M, Preclikova, J, Kubat, J, Houzvicka, J, Rus, B, Collier, J, Lucianetti, A, Mocek, T
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We compare for the first time the influence of different Yb:YAG gain media on the performance of a large-area, high average-power laser system with an output energy of up to 6 J. Monocrystalline slabs grown by a new technique without central growth defect are compared with ceramics. Small signal gain, maximum output energy and thermal lensing are compared for ceramic slabs with co-sintered amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) absorber cladding, monocrystalline slab with and without optically bonded ASE absorber cladding, and surface structured monocrystalline slabs. We show that these large monocrystals with optically bonded absorber cladding have similar performance to cladded ceramics, so far the only material for high-energy Yb:YAG lasers.
ISSN:1094-4087
1094-4087
DOI:10.1364/oe.379713