High efficiency 2 micrometer laser utilizing wing-pumped Tm3+ and a laser diode array end-pumping architecture

摘要

Wing pumping a Tm3+ doped, end pumped solid state laser generates 2 mu m laser radiation at high average powers with high efficiency. Using laser diode arrays to end-pump the laser rod or slab in the wing of the Tm3+ absorption band near 785 nm results in 2-for-1 quantum efficiency in Tm3+ because high Tm3+ concentrations can be used. Wing pumping allows the thermal power generated in the rod or slab to be distributed over a large enough volume to make thermal management practical in the laser gain medium even at high average power operation. The approach is applicable to CW, Q-switched, and rep-pulsed free-laser operation.