Lee Laser (Orlando, FL) has demonstrated the performance of a new, 800W CW Nd:YAG laser that is capable of Q-switched performance well in excess of 600 W average output power at 10 kHz pulse rate. The compact optical resonator of this laser utilizes existing Lee Laser diode-pumped technology, plus some new technology that the company has developed internally. A major design feature of this laser is the short pulse width capability comfortably less than 70 ns at 10 kHz, without risk of damage to internal optical elements. Pulse instability less than 8% peak-peak has been demonstrated.
This new high-power laser at 1064 nm will give both systems integrators and end users alike the high average power and high peak pulse power that is required for emerging micromachining technologies. Among the applications to be pursued will be deep marking and engraving, cutting of hard materials such as tungsten carbide and polycrystalline diamond for machine tool manufacture, flat panel display manufacture, and laser patterning for LCD manufacture.
Electrical power consumption will be 10 kW, which will make this laser one of the most efficient of its type that is commercially available today. It will be in full production before the end of 2009.