We report a novel design of solid-state laser amplifier chain based on Nd:YAG gain mediums, by lining up multiple single-side-pumped slabs in a special manner. The scheme takes advantage of the excellent power scalability of the sidepumping configuration, and allows a reduction in cost and complexity comparing to the conventional way, by decoupling the cooling and pumping interfaces and thus avoiding water sealing application and water contamination to the crystal. Specifically, influences of ASE effects on the amplifier performance (power scaling, beam quality and transverse mode profile) are described in detail, considering the re-amplification of ASE along the slab chain. A point design at 10 kW power level including the ASE effect is also described.

Date Published: 29 November 2012
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 8551, High-Power Lasers and Applications VI, 85510G (29 November 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.981705

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8551:
High-Power Lasers and Applications VI
Upendra N. Singh; Dianyuan Fan; Jianquan Yao; Robert F. Walter, Editor(s)