RESUMEN

We present a new laser prototype for laser ultrasonics excitation. The fundamental wavelength of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a repetition rate of 1 kHz is converted to 3.3 µm with a KTiOAsO4 optical parametric oscillator. The achieved pulse energy at 3.3 µm is 1.7 mJ, and the pulse duration at the fundamental wavelength of 1.06 µm has been measured to be 21 ns. The ultrasonic excitation efficiency is about 3.5 times better compared to the application of state-of-the-art CO2 lasers.

RESUMEN

Nd:YAG lasers with output power levels of tens of watts, a nearly diffraction-limited beam quality, and a linearly polarized continuous wave output are commonly pumped by laser diodes at a wavelength around 808 nm, where the pump light spectrum is matched well to the absorption maximum of Nd:YAG. As a consequence, low Nd(3+)-doping concentrations of the laser crystals are required in order to minimize thermally induced stress. The use of higher Neodymium concentrations requires pump wavelengths beside the 808 nm absorption maximum and will furthermore result in changed thermo-optical behavior of the material. We present simulations and experimental results on how the doping concentration of Nd(3+) influences the fraction of pump light converted into heat.

RESUMEN

The output power and efficiency of linearly polarized high power Nd:YAG lasers is limited by depolarization and bifocusing. Both effects degrade the beam quality and decrease the output power. In a single pass configuration, [100]- and [110]-cut crystals can be used to reduce the depolarization. Here, we compare [100]-, [110]- and [111]-cut crystals in an oscillator configuration. As expected it was possible to reduce the depolarization loss by using [100]-cut crystals in our configuration, while the depolarization loss was higher for [110]-cut crystals. The thermal lens establishing in these crystals is not circular, which can degrade beam quality in high power operation.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The output power of linearly polarized Nd:YAG lasers is typically limited by thermally induced birefringence, which causes depolarization. However, this effect can be reduced either by use of some kind of depolarization compensation or by use of crystals which are cut in [110]- and [100]-direction, instead of the common [111]-direction. Investigations of the intrinsic reduction of the depolarization by use of these crystals are presented. To our knowledge, this is the first probe beam-experiment describing a comparison between [100]-, [110]- and [111]-cut Nd:YAG crystals in a pump power regime between 100 and 200 W. It is demonstrated that the depolarization can be reduced by a factor of 6 in [100]-cut crystals. The simulations reveal that a reduction of depolarization by use of a [110]-cut crystal in comparison with a [100]-cut crystal only becomes possible at pump powers in the kW region. Analysis also shows that the bifocusing for [100]-cut is slightly smaller and more asymmetrical than for [111]-cut.

Asunto(s)