High efficiency diode-pumped Q-switched Yb:Er:Glass lasers

摘要

This work analyzes a possibility of increasing the efficiency of a diode-pumped Yb:Er:glass laser. It is shown that the maximal efficiency of Q-switched lasers with a commercial phosphate glass is limited by 2-7% depending on the Erbium concentration, the pump pulse duration and the energy density inside laser cavity. The output energy of 4.6 mJ at wavelength of 1.54 μm in Q-switched mode was obtained using two 19 Watt diode laser arrays operating at 954 nm. The output pulse duration was less than 35 ns (FWHM).