In this paper we present calculations of the effects on thermal lensing of bonding undoped host crystal to the ends and edges of edge-pumped slab lasers. Using ray tracing and finite element analysis we simulate the distribution of absorbed pump power, 3D temperature, stress, and surface displacements. We numerically calculate the induced lensing due to thermal and stress gradients, and deformation induced end effects. In slabs with undoped material bonded to the edges through which pump light enters, the induced lensing has an "m"-shaped profile while undoped Brewster ends reduce deformation induced lensing.
We present practical modeling for edged-pumped high power solid-state slab lasers. Both analytic and ray tracing methods were used to analyze the distributions of absorbed pump power using real broad spectrum diode laser pump sources. The resulting thermal and stress distributions were calculated with finite element analysis. Our analyses include the temperature dependence of the gain medium’s thermal conductivity and expansion coefficient. Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG were then compared for use as gain media for high power solid state slab laser.
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