Ceramics for High Power Lasers
Abstract
Transparent ceramic gain-media can lead, when properly engineered, to significant improvements in solid-state laser performance. Among the anticipated benefits of such material-based lasers are high-average power outputs with higher efficiencies, improved pulse-energy storage and outputs, higher ultrafast-laser performance, and phased-array operation of guided-wave laser systems. In this research program we focused on the application, design and testing of engineered laser ceramics. We worked on (1) the study of bulk defects in YAG ceramics; (2) a efforts to fabricate bulk transparent ceramics of YAG with improved optical quality; and (3) the design and fabrication of waveguide structures based on theoretical predictions of laser host performance and composite laser design. The dual focus on correlating processing parameters with both performance and optical losses was taken to achieve high quality ceramics along with a fundamental understanding about these materials at all levels of manufacturing and use. In the final two years, we undertook the study of technologies to produce high power, two-micron fiber lasers because of their eye-safe characteristics and importance to military applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA585299
Entities
People
- Charles Rudy
- Robert L. Byer
- Roger K. Route
- Romain M. Gaume
Organizations
- Stanford University