Diode-pumped alkali lasers (DPALs) and amplifiers (DPAAs) with reduced buffer gas pressures

摘要

A new class of lasers is provided that can be pumped by conventional high-power, multi-mode, broadband 1-D and 2-D laser diode arrays with spectral widths greater than 0.01 nm, where the pumped laser gain medium comprises an atomic vapor of one the alkali elements (Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs), buffered with a mixture of rare-gas (He, Ar, Kr, Ne or Xe) and selected molecular gases. The alkali atom gain medium is pumped at a wavelength matching the wavelength of the ²S_1/2–²P_3/2 electric-dipole-allowed transition (the D₂ transition). After kinetic relaxation of pump excitation to the excited ²P_1/2 electronic level, laser emission takes place on the ²P_1/2–²S_1/2 transition (the D₁ transition).