Geometrical Transformation of Linear Diode-Laser Arrays for Longitudinal Pumpingof Solid-State Lasers

摘要

A 200 stripe linear diode-laser array is geometrically transformed into a two-dimensional, symmetric virtual source with symmetric divergence to end pump a Nd: YAG laser. The geometrical transformation is performed by two planes of diffractive optical elements separated by a 2.6 cm gap. Discounting optical losses, a TEM sub 00 mode slope efficiency of 56% is demonstrated. Methods of increasing the throughput efficiency of the diffractive elements (currently approximately 50% per element) are explored. A theoretical model for estimating the maximum useful pump array size in longitudinally pumped rod and fiber lasers shows that this pump geometry is close to optimum. Diode-laser array, Nd:YAG, TEM, Solid-state lasers.