High Energy Diode-Pumped Solid State Lasers

Very recent developments in the technology for pumping of solid-state lasers now point to a revolution in the design and application of these devices. This achievement has been brought about by the development of powerful laser diode arrays to serve as pumps for neodymium and other rare earth ions in solid-state hosts. The major benefit of diode pumping as compared to flashlamp pumped system is increased lifetime and higher efficiency. The current state-of-the-art of the design and development of high power side-pumped rod lasers is reviewed. Diode array pump sources, as well as pumping configurations and system architecture of a multi-stage Nd: YAG laser will be described. As an example, a multi-stage laser will be discussed which produced 1.25 Joules per pulse in the free lasing mode at a repetition rate of 40 Hz, 0.75J in a 17 nsec Q-switched pulse, and 0.5J per pulse at the frequency doubled wavelength of 532 nm.