Thermodynamics of Radiation-Balanced Lasing
Abstract
Athermal lasers dispose of their waste heat in the form of spontaneous fluorescence (i.e., by laser cooling) to avoid warming the medium. The thermodynamics of this process is discussed both qualitatively and quantitatively from the point of view of the first and second laws. The steady-state optical dynamics of an ytterbium-doped KGd(WO4)2 fiber is analyzed as a model radiation-balanced solid-state laser. A Carnot efficiency for all-optical amplification is derived in terms of the energy and entropy transported by the pump, fluorescence, and laser beams. This efficiency is compared with the performance of the model system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA574903
Entities
People
- Carl E. Mungan
Organizations
- United States Naval Academy