40-W cw, TEM sub 00-Mode, Diode-Laser-Pumped, Nd:YAG Miniature-Slab Laser

摘要

We have built a diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG slab laser that emits 40 W of cw powerin a TEM sub 00 mode and 72 W of power in multimode operation when pumped with 235 W. The slope efficiencies are 22% for TEM sub 00-mode operation and 36% for multimode operation. The laser uses a zigzag slab geometry to reduce thermally induced distortions and operates at less than one wave of distortion at the hill pump power. A significant advantage of our design over those of previous slab lasers is a new Teflon AF protective coating on the slab total-internal-reflection surfaces, which greatly simplifies the mounting and cooling of the slab laser medium. (MM).