Cryogenic Ceramic 277 Watt Yb: YAG Thin-Disk Laser
Abstract
A ceramic ytterbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) thindisk laser is investigated at 15 deg C (288 K) and also at 80 K, where it behaves as a four-level laser. We introduce a new two-phase spray cooling method to cool the Yb:YAG. One system relies on R134a refrigerant while the other uses liquid nitrogen (LN2). The use of two systems allows the same disk to be tested at the two temperatures. When the Yb:YAG is cooled from room to cryogenic temperatures, the lasing threshold drops from 155 W to near 10 W, while the slope efficiency increases from 54% to a 63%. A 277 W laser with 520 W of pump is demonstrated. We also model the thermal and structural properties at these two temperatures and estimate the beam quality.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1021643
Entities
People
- Benjamin A. Saarloos
- Dan Rini
- Huseyin Bostanci
- Jennifer J. Huddler-lindauer
- Natasa Vretenar
- Phillip Peterson
- Tim Lucas
- Tim Newell
- Tyler Carson
- William Latham
Organizations
- University of New Mexico