Geometrical Transformation of Linear Diode-Laser Arrays for Longitudinal Pumping of Solid-State Lasers

Abstract

A 200-stripe linear diode-laser array is geometrically transformed into a two-dimensional, symmetric virtual source with symmetric divergence to end-pump a Nd:YAG laser. The geometrical transformation is performed by two planes of diffractive optical elements separated by a 2.6-cm gap. Discounting optical losses, a TEM00-mode slope efficiency of 56 percent is demonstrated. Methods of increasing the throughput efficiency of the diffractive elements (currently approximately 50 percent per element) re explored. A theoretical model for estimating the maximum useful pump array size in longitudinally pumped rod and fiber lasers shows that this pump geometry is close to optimum.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 26, 1992
Accession Number
ADA253415

Entities

People

  • J. R. Leger
  • W. C. Goltsos

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Arrays
  • Diffraction
  • Efficiency
  • Geometry
  • Laser Arrays
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Light Sources
  • Metamaterials
  • Optical Fiber Lasers
  • Refractive Index
  • Solid State Lasers
  • Two Dimensional
  • Waveplates
  • Yag Lasers

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Structural Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy