Options
A diode-pumped Nd : YLF laser
Author
Lee, Chia Hui
Supervisor
Zhou, Feng
Abstract
Solid state lasers have undergone a renaissance since the development of reliable and cheap laser diodes which can be used as pump sources. This leads to a new class of holosteric lasers which have been demonstrated to be highly efficient, reliable, and are attractive for a wide range of applications. The work described in this academic exercise focuses on the development of a stable gain-switched Nd:YLF laser operating at 1053 nm pumped with a 1.2 W diode array.
A brief history and an overview of diode-pumped solid-state lasers are presented as part of the literature review in the first two chapters. The properties that make LDPSSLs novel and such a fertile field of research are highlighted. Also included are the properties of semiconductor laser diodes and the laser material, Neodynium-doped Yittrium- Lithium- Fluoride.
Chapter three discusses in detail, the general design criterion for the laser setup as well as the rate-equations model which is used as a basis for the simulation program.
In chapter four, the experiments and measurements obtained are presented. The resonator used is a folded, three-mirror cavity resonator in the Fabry-Perot configuration. In this AE, we have demonstrated a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser operating at 1053 nm in both continuous wave ( CW ) operation and pulsed operation via gain-switching. In the TEM00 operation, the laser produces an maximum output power of 13 mW with a 12.9% transmission output coupler, with a slope efficiency of 1.4%. In the gain-switched operation, generations of single, double and multiple pulses have been observed. These pulses are well simulated by the rate equations model. In the single-pulse generation, pulses of 16 ps duration have been obtained. This is in fairly good agreement with the simulation results which have produced a pulse duration of 12 ps.
A brief history and an overview of diode-pumped solid-state lasers are presented as part of the literature review in the first two chapters. The properties that make LDPSSLs novel and such a fertile field of research are highlighted. Also included are the properties of semiconductor laser diodes and the laser material, Neodynium-doped Yittrium- Lithium- Fluoride.
Chapter three discusses in detail, the general design criterion for the laser setup as well as the rate-equations model which is used as a basis for the simulation program.
In chapter four, the experiments and measurements obtained are presented. The resonator used is a folded, three-mirror cavity resonator in the Fabry-Perot configuration. In this AE, we have demonstrated a diode-pumped Nd:YLF laser operating at 1053 nm in both continuous wave ( CW ) operation and pulsed operation via gain-switching. In the TEM00 operation, the laser produces an maximum output power of 13 mW with a 12.9% transmission output coupler, with a slope efficiency of 1.4%. In the gain-switched operation, generations of single, double and multiple pulses have been observed. These pulses are well simulated by the rate equations model. In the single-pulse generation, pulses of 16 ps duration have been obtained. This is in fairly good agreement with the simulation results which have produced a pulse duration of 12 ps.
Date Issued
1996
Call Number
TA1677 Lee
Date Submitted
1996