Abstract
We report a continuous-wave operation of Tm:YAG and Tm:LuAG lasers pumped with a low-cost, multimode AlGaAs laser diode. First, the lifetime and the absorbance behavior of 5 mm, 6 % Tm$^{3+}$-doped YAG and LuAG crystals were thoroughly investigated. A low-cost multimode 3W laser diode at 781 nm was then used as a pump source for the Tm$^{3+}$-doped laser systems. Using three different output couplers, up to 636 mW of output power was obtained from Tm:YAG laser, with a slope efficiency of 29 % at 2017 nm. The maximum output power was 637 mW in the Tm:LuAG laser, with a slope efficiency of 28 % at 2023 nm. The lasing performances showed a decreasing slope efficiency with an increasing level of output coupling, which leads to a high upconversion. Furthermore, using a birefringent filter in the resonators, the laser outputs were tuned from 1942 to 2086 nm in the Tm:YAG resonator and from 1931 to 2107 nm in the Tm:LuAG case.
Highlights
Reduction in the complexity and cost of the solid-state laser systems has attracted growing interest in recent years
One of the most efficient ways to accomplish these reductions is to use commercial multimode laser diodes as pump source in the laser systems, as they are one of the most promising methods of laser excitation. This approach was applied to Cr:LiCAF laser, using two commercially available AlGaAsP multimode laser diodes, and up to 880 mW output power was obtained at 800 nm [1]
In the 5-mm Tm:YAG laser experiments, a maximum of 636 mW output power was obtained with the 1.33% output coupler (Figure 4)
Summary
Reduction in the complexity and cost of the solid-state laser systems has attracted growing interest in recent years. One of the most efficient ways to accomplish these reductions is to use commercial multimode laser diodes as pump source in the laser systems, as they are one of the most promising methods of laser excitation. This approach was applied to Cr:LiCAF laser, using two commercially available AlGaAsP multimode laser diodes, and up to 880 mW output power was obtained at 800 nm [1]. Pumping in the 780 nm band could lead to high cross-relaxation and upconversion effects, which can positively or negatively affect system performance [15, 16]
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