Researchers from the MQ Photonics Research Centre (Macquarie University, Australia) joined with fiber-laser experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF; Jena, Germany) to demonstrate a diamond Raman frequency converter that produces either 154 W continuous-wave (CW) output at a 50.5% efficiency, or a steady-state pulsed output with peak power of 381 W with 61% efficiency.
In addition to being 20 times higher than the output of previous diamond Raman lasers, the 381 W pulsed output was obtained from 10 ms pump pulses that are 1000 times longer than the transient thermal time constant of diamond, showing that the diamond Raman device is not thermally limited.
The emitter's 1240 nm wavelength is highly transmitted through the Earth's atmosphere, making the device suitable for optical communications and laser ranging. Uses in space include communications and the tracking and removal of space debris.
Diamond photonics have progressed enormously over the last few years due to advances in the synthesis of high-quality diamonds—higher-quality than what can be obtained naturally.
Source: http://mq.edu.au/newsroom/2015/08/13/new-diamond-laser-20-times-more-powerful/
REFERENCE:
1. Robert J. Williams et al., Laser & Photonics Reviews (2015); doi: 10.1002/lpor.201500032
