Laser burst boosting method and apparatus

摘要

Methods and apparatus for managing thermal loads on a laser gain medium and for boosting the output power of a diode pumped laser are disclosed. The short-term average pumping power to the gain medium is increased, to provide a burst of pumping energy to the laser gain medium. A subsequent short-term reduction in the average pumping power then allows the gain medium to cool to a desired state steady level. The average pumping power is then increased to maintain this steady state level until the next burst is desired. For example, a pulse of current may be applied to a laser diode at a first current level I₁ for a first time interval Deltat₁, where I₁ exceeds a nominal current value I_nom by an amount DeltaI₁. The current to the laser diode is reduced to a second current level I₂ for a second time interval Deltat₂, where I_nom exceeds I₂ by an amount DeltaI₂. To balance the thermal load on the diode an integral of DeltaI₁ over the time Deltat₁ is approximately equal in magnitude to an integral of DeltaI₂ over the time Deltat₂. After applying the pulse of current at the first current level I₁, and before or after reducing the current to the second level I₂, the nominal current is applied to the laser diode for a third time interval Deltat₃.