SOLID-STATE LASERS: Very-large-scale DPSS lasers are coming

摘要

New alkaline-earth fluoride laser materials and ever-improving diode-laser module technology are bringing very high-energy, moderate-to high-repetition-rate DPSS lasers for research closer to reality. Diode-pumped solid-state lasers generating high-energy ultrashort pulses at moderate repetition rates are of increasing interest for research (see table). Applications range from pump lasers for attosecond-pulse generation to x-ray and particle physics. In these branches of research, ultrashort high-energy laser pulses serve as an unrivaled source for very strong electromagnetic fields that open the door to investigating effects in relativity and quantum physics. Applications of laser-accelerated particles are also promising. The huge DPSS lasers that are intended for future inertial-confinement-fusion research facilities have to provide exceptional beam quality and stability, as well as high wall-plug efficiency and low maintenance requirements. These combined requirements can only be satisfied by well-engineered components and subsystems of ultrahigh reliability and durability.