High‐Power, High‐Efficiency Tm:YAG and Ho:YAG Thin‐Disk Lasers. Issue 3 (31st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jinwei; Schulze, Felix; Mak, Ka Fai; Pervak, Vladimir; Bauer, Dominik; Sutter, Dirk; Pronin, Oleg
• Is Part Of: Laser & photonics reviews. Volume 12:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-01-31
• Subjects: high power and high efficiency -- Ho:YAG thin‐disks -- infrared lasers -- Tm:YAG thin‐disks; Lasers -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Périodiques; Photonique -- Périodiques; 621.36
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.201700273
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-8880

Abstract

Abstract: Continuous‐wave Tm:YAG and Ho:YAG thin‐disk lasers with maximum optical‐to‐optical efficiencies of 41% and 58% respectively are presented. Pumped by a 780 nm laser diode, the Tm:YAG laser generated a maximum output power of 24 W. In comparison, the Ho:YAG laser, pumped by a fiber laser at 1908 nm, delivered a maximum output power of 50 W. The reported output powers are, to the best of our knowledge, the highest among all thin‐disk lasers emitting at ≈2 μm, and provide a solid foundation for the further development of next‐generation 2 μm thin‐disk technologies. Abstract : Two different gain materials—Tm:YAG and Ho:YAG— are investigated in thin‐disk configuration. Using a 72‐pass pump cavity, thin‐disk lasers with high powers and optical‐to‐optical efficiencies at 2 μm have been realized, paving the way for further scaling of power towards kW‐level based on thin‐disk technology.