40 W cw, TEM00 Mode, Diode-Laser-Pumped, Nd:YAG Zig-Zag Miniature Slab Laser

摘要

We have built a cw diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG slab laser that emits 72 W of multi-mode power when pumped with 235 W, or 40 W of TEM00 power when pumped with 212 W, of diode laser power. The slope efficiencies are 36% for multi-mode operation and 22% for TEM00 mode operation. The laser uses the zig-zag slab geometry to reduce the thermal effects associated with high power operation, resulting in less than one wave of distortion at the full pump power. A significant advantage over previous slab lasers is a new, patented Teflon AF protective coating on the slab's total internal reflection surfaces which greatly simplifies the mounting and cooling of the laser medium.