100-kHz RM calcium ion NIR laser

Abstract

The experimental study of the laser on RM 4p2P3/2∘ - 3d2D5/2 (λ=854.2nm) and 4p2P1/2∘ - 3d2D3/2 (λ=866.2nm) transitions in a singly ionized calcium with active medium volume of 97 cm3 has been carried out. Excitation was performed with the periodic bursts containing 200 pulses each. It is shown that the laser pulse energy enters the steady-state mode during the burst. When the frequency of pulses inside the burst equaled to 90 kHz the steady-state value of the laser energy was 59 mJ, which corresponds to the average output power of 5.3 W. The measured power ratio between lines with λ=854.2nm and λ = 866.2 nm under optimum conditions amounted to 1.7, with radiation pulse duration of 20 ns. Experimental results for lasers on atom RM-transitions operating at pulse repetition frequency f≥100 kHz are reviewed. It is demonstrated that at such f values the energy characteristics of the Ca+ laser are comparable with those of lasers on atom RM transitions of other metals. An analysis of the mechanisms preventing further increase in the average output power when the pulse repetition frequency is increased above 100 kHz is presented.