For portable spectroscopic systems, there is a high demand for smaller and economical laser modules. Heat management is essential in high-energy laser systems, but the “classic” external cooling methods are increasing the overall size of the laser. To avoid this problem, we implemented a “static”, non-circulated liquid cooling system. The laser cavity is hermetically sealed after it is filled up with liquid, no external liquid container is necessary. In this work, we present the development of a compact, low price, high energy Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser using commercially available components.
During the last years the CTR HiPoLas ignition system, originally developed for the ignition of automotive engines, has reached a sufficiently high level of stability and miniaturization to enable competitive operation on space craft engines 1. The fifth generation of this Nd:YAG laser system has been customized especially for the ignition of cryogenic thrust chambers and has been tested on a variety of combustors reaching more than 1500 successful engine ignitions. The high reliability and compactness of the system lies within the monolithic, side-pumped resonator concept requiring no adjustments of any optical element during assembly and thus rendering the laser unsusceptible against vibrations and thermal influences. The standard version of the system is able to generate up to 35mJ at 2ns with repetition rates up to 100 Hz in burst mode, a new high energy version uses an additional amplifier stage to boost the energy output up to 70mJ. Applications of the laser ignition system include high trust engines as well as combustion chambers at thrust levels of orbital maneuvering and reaction control systems. Technology readiness tests verified the applicability, stability and reliability of the laser ignition system for a variety of injector configurations, furthermore, ignition based on laser ablation was investigated. The laser igniter system was used to re-ignite a high thrust combustor up to 60 times in a row and in total more than 1500 times within one test campaign without laser system failure2.
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technology holds the potential for onsite real-time measurements of steel products. However, for a mobile and robust LIBS measurement system, an adequate small and ruggedized laser source is a key requirement. In this contribution, we present tests with our compact high-power laser source, which, initially, was developed for ignition applications. The CTR HiPoLas® laser is a robust diode pumped solid-state laser with a passive Q-switch with dimensions of less than 10 cm3. The laser generates 2.5-ns pulses with 30 mJ at a maximum continuous repetition rate of about 30 Hz. Feasibility of LIBS experiments with the laser source was experimentally verified with steel samples. The results show that the laser with its current optical output parameters is very well-suited for LIBS measurements. We believe that the miniaturized laser presented here will enable very compact and robust portable high-performance LIBS systems.
LIBS-technology holds the potential for on-site real-time measurements of steel products. However for a mobile and
robust LIBS measurement system, an adequate small and ruggedized laser source is a key-requirement. In this
contribution, we present tests with our novel compact high power laser source, which, initially, was developed for
ignition applications. The CTR HiPoLas® laser is a robust diode pumped solid state laser with a passive Q-switch with
dimensions of less than 10 cm³. The laser generates 2.5 ns-pulses with 30 mJ at a maximum continuous repetition rate of
about 30 Hz. Feasibility of LIBS experiments with the laser source was experimentally verified with steel samples. The
results show that the laser with its current optical output parameters is very well suited for LIBS measurements. We
believe that the miniaturized laser presented here will enable very compact and robust portable high-performance LIBS
systems.
A robust, miniaturized, diode-pumped high-energy neodymium doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser with passive Q-switch generating 25 mJ at 3 ns has been demonstrated at repetition rates of up to 150 Hz. The device is designed for ignition of fuel air mixtures in internal combustion engines. The pump diodes and Peltier cooling are integrated in the laser head, giving a compact design with a small number of optical components for easy assembly. The laser was successfully operated as an optical spark plug on a test engine at high temperature and vibration levels.
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