Abstract
We describe a power-scaling strategy for longitudinally diode-pumped Tm:YLF lasers based on optimisation of the thulium doping level and the gain geometry. Carefully designed laser experiments at lower powers are shown to allow a simple means for accurately predicting the thermal loading and hence the power-scaling properties of this system, including the effects of ground-state depletion, cross relaxation and energy-transfer upconversion. An optimised doping level of 2 at. % and a slab geometry are shown experimentally to allow scaling of a single gain unit to output powers of ∼70 W, limited by the available pump power, and a strategy for scaling well beyond 100-W output is discussed.
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42.55.-f; 42.55.Xi; 42.60.By
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So, S., Mackenzie, J., Shepherd, D. et al. A power-scaling strategy for longitudinally diode-pumped Tm:YLF lasers. Appl. Phys. B 84, 389–393 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2286-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-006-2286-y