High-Gain Yb:YAG Amplifier for Ultrashort Pulse Laser at High-Average Power~(a,b)

摘要

We report on a Yb:YAG laser amplifier for ultrashort pulse applications at kW-class average power. The laser uses two large-aperture, disk-type gain elements fabricated from composite ceramic YAG material, and a multi-pass extraction architecture to obtain high gain in a chirped-pulse amplification system. The disks are edge-pumped, thus allowing for reduced doping of host material with laser ions, which translates to lower lasing threshold and lower heat dissipation in the Yb:YAG material. The latter makes it possible to amplify a near diffraction-limited seed without significant thermo-optical distortions. This work presents results of testing the laser amplifier with relay optics configured for energy extraction with up to 40 passes through the disks. Applications for the ultrashort pulse laser amplifier include producing a laser-induced plasma channel, laser material ablation, and laser acceleration of atomic particles.