Diode-pumped, passively-q-switched neodymium lasers at wavelengths near 1.3 μm based on the saturable absorber Vanadium:YAG have favorable properties as sources for longer-range, >300 m, 3D-imaging systems which are difficult to implement with semiconductor lasers. This wavelength enables eye safety at exposures above what is permitted at 1.5 μm. The lasers are simple, comprising two millimeter-scale crystals with all plano surfaces. We report a Nd:YVO4 laser with a pulse repetition rate of approximately 500 kHz and a Nd:YAG laser with a pulse energy of 40 μJ, both with pulse durations below 2 nsec.
We demonstrate 30 W of average UV power, at 353 nm, by harmonically converting the output of a seeded
cascade of fiber amplifiers operating at 1060 nm. The UV output represents 46% harmonic conversion
efficiency from the fundamental beam. The all-fiber-amplifier, MOPA architecture supports variable pulse
repetition frequencies and pulse widths. We demonstrate pulse repetition frequencies up to 2 MHz and
pulse widths as short as 2 ns. Two bulk LBO crystals, oriented for second and third harmonic conversion,
are used to obtain stable UV output power. A turnkey system using this architecture is commercially
available. The system is entirely air-cooled and operates from a standard wall plug electric service,
facilitating integration into various material processing applications.
Use of aluminum-free epitaxial structures for near-infrared laser diodes has been an active research area in the past decade. These edge-emitting laser diodes have demonstrated operational lifetimes exceeding 10,000 hours at high output powers and high efficiencies. Improvements in epitaxial structure, processing, and packaging have enabled these results. In this paper, we will review developments in aluminum-free laser diodes. We describe our recent work with these devices and conclude by discussing reliability issues.
KEYWORDS: Semiconductor lasers, Continuous wave operation, High power lasers, Solid state lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, Solid state electronics, Crystals, Argon ion lasers, Harmonic generation, Nonlinear crystals
Recent progress in pump sources and basic materials have allowed the production of commercially viable, high-power, diode-pumped, continuous-wave, green lasers. We will review the history and the technological developments that have allowed this progress.
Solid-state laser sources in the visible and ultraviolet have several advantages over gas laser sources with regard to size, efficiency, lifetime, and amplitude stability. We will discuss the approaches that we have taken to build compact solid-state lasers operating at 532 nm, 430 nm, and 266 nm. We will review the different techniques we use to generate these wavelengths and consequent implications for performance characteristics such as output power, spatial mode, noise, and the possibility for modulation.
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