Abstract
During the past few years high power lasers which incorporate intracavity optical waveguiding have been demonstrated in a number of different geometric formats. These include rectangular planar waveguide structures, two-dimensional multi-element waveguide array lasers and annular waveguide devices, all of which depend crucially on the operational flexibility of the transverse radiofrequency excitation technique. Here, we review the fundamental issues which underlie the attractions of the use of waveguiding structures in the design and construction of ultracompact, diffusion- cooled lasers which are efficient and operate at high average power levels. In particular, we review the properties of large area discharge planar waveguide CO2/CO lasers, where multi-kilowatt cw power levels have been demonstrated with excellent beam quality and efficiency. It is shown that similar concepts may also be applied to solid state lasers. In addition, the use of the multi-element array concept for high power scaling will be examined, and the operating characteristics of an ultra-compact 64 (4 X 16) element array laser operating at 2 kW cw output power will be described. ©2003 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 620-628 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - the International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 3343 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
| Event | High-Power Laser Ablation - Santa Fe, NM, United States Duration: 27 Apr 1998 → 27 Apr 1998 |
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Keywords
- Array lasers
- Lasers
- Slab lasers
- Waveguide
Cite this
}
High power waveguide lasers. / Hall, Denis R.; Baker, Howard J.
In: Proceedings of SPIE - the International Society for Optical Engineering, Vol. 3343, 1998, p. 620-628.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - High power waveguide lasers
AU - Hall, Denis R.
AU - Baker, Howard J.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - During the past few years high power lasers which incorporate intracavity optical waveguiding have been demonstrated in a number of different geometric formats. These include rectangular planar waveguide structures, two-dimensional multi-element waveguide array lasers and annular waveguide devices, all of which depend crucially on the operational flexibility of the transverse radiofrequency excitation technique. Here, we review the fundamental issues which underlie the attractions of the use of waveguiding structures in the design and construction of ultracompact, diffusion- cooled lasers which are efficient and operate at high average power levels. In particular, we review the properties of large area discharge planar waveguide CO2/CO lasers, where multi-kilowatt cw power levels have been demonstrated with excellent beam quality and efficiency. It is shown that similar concepts may also be applied to solid state lasers. In addition, the use of the multi-element array concept for high power scaling will be examined, and the operating characteristics of an ultra-compact 64 (4 X 16) element array laser operating at 2 kW cw output power will be described. ©2003 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.
AB - During the past few years high power lasers which incorporate intracavity optical waveguiding have been demonstrated in a number of different geometric formats. These include rectangular planar waveguide structures, two-dimensional multi-element waveguide array lasers and annular waveguide devices, all of which depend crucially on the operational flexibility of the transverse radiofrequency excitation technique. Here, we review the fundamental issues which underlie the attractions of the use of waveguiding structures in the design and construction of ultracompact, diffusion- cooled lasers which are efficient and operate at high average power levels. In particular, we review the properties of large area discharge planar waveguide CO2/CO lasers, where multi-kilowatt cw power levels have been demonstrated with excellent beam quality and efficiency. It is shown that similar concepts may also be applied to solid state lasers. In addition, the use of the multi-element array concept for high power scaling will be examined, and the operating characteristics of an ultra-compact 64 (4 X 16) element array laser operating at 2 kW cw output power will be described. ©2003 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.
KW - Array lasers
KW - Lasers
KW - Slab lasers
KW - Waveguide
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=61349144822&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1117/12.321585
DO - 10.1117/12.321585
M3 - Article
VL - 3343
SP - 620
EP - 628
JO - Proceedings of SPIE - the International Society for Optical Engineering
JF - Proceedings of SPIE - the International Society for Optical Engineering
SN - 1996-756X
ER -