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946 nm Diode Pumped Laser Produces 100mJAn innovative approach to obtaining high energy at 946 nm has yielded 101 mJ of laser energy with an optical-to-optical slope efficiency of 24.5%. A single gain module resonator was evaluated, yielding a maximum output energy of 50 mJ. In order to obtain higher energy a second gain module was incorporated into the resonator. This innovative approach produced un-surprised output energy of 101 mJ. This is of utmost importance since it demonstrates that the laser output energy scales directly with the number of gain modules. Therefore, higher energies can be realized by simply increasing the number of gain modules within the laser oscillator. The laser resonator incorporates two gain modules into a folded "M-shaped" resonator, allowing a quadruple pass gain within each rod. Each of these modules consists of a diode (stack of 30 microlensed 100 Watt diode array bars, each with its own fiber lens) end-pumping a Nd:YAG laser rod. The diode output is collected by a lens duct, which focuses the energy into a 2 mm diameter flat to flat octagonal pump area of the laser crystal. Special coatings have been developed to mitigate energy storage problems, including parasitic lasing and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), and encourage the resonator to operate at the lower gain transition at 946 nm.
Document ID
20010097170
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Axenson, Theresa J.
(Science and Technology Corp. Hampton, VA United States)
Barnes, Norman P.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Reichle, Donald J., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA United States)
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 18, 2000
Publication Information
Publication: Lidar Remote Sensing for Industry and Environment Monitoring
Volume: 4153
Subject Category
Communications And Radar
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-19570
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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