Diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser delivers 155 W

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, Livermore, CA) recently demonstrated a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser with a CW output power of 155 W at 1064 nm. The device was pumped by a 25-bar stack assembly of microchannel-cooled 1.5-cm-long AlGaAs laser diodes (far left); output from each diode bar was optically conditioned with cylindrical microlenses to reduce the divergence angle. The resulting 550-W output was then focused with a fused-silica lens duct onto the Nd:YAG laser rod

Stephen G. Anderson

Nov. 1, 1995

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, Livermore, CA) recently demonstrated a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser with a CW output power of 155 W at 1064 nm. The device was pumped by a 25-bar stack assembly of microchannel-cooled 1.5-cm-long AlGaAs laser diodes; output from each diode bar was optically conditioned with cylindrical microlenses to reduce the divergence angle. The resulting 550-W output was then focused with a fused-silica lens duct onto the Nd:YAG laser rod. The output coupler was mounted away from the rod. The optical-to-optical slope efficiency of the system was 33%.

According to LLNL researcher Camille Bibeau, because the high pump laser intensity could damage the rod, protective undoped YAG end-caps were diffusion bonded to each rod end. The overall dimensions of the laser system are 5 x 30 cm and, says Bibeau, it is this compactness, combined with the relative simplicity and low cost of the technology, that is likely to lead to applications for the laser design in medicine, radar, manufacturing, and material processing.

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson

Director, Industry Development - SPIE

Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.