High-power in-well pumped MECSEL emitting at 1178 nm for sodium guide star applications

Mingyang Zhang; Davide Priante; Alexander R. Albrecht; Garrett D. Cole; Mansoor Sheik-Bahae

doi:10.1117/12.2609740

4 March 2022 High-power in-well pumped MECSEL emitting at 1178 nm for sodium guide star applications

Mingyang Zhang, Davide Priante, Alexander R. Albrecht, Garrett D. Cole, Mansoor Sheik-Bahae

Proceedings Volume 11984, Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) XI; 1198403 (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2609740
Event: SPIE LASE, 2022, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Sodium laser guide stars (LGS) play an essential role in ground-based telescope adaptive optics. Optically-pumped vertical-external-cavity semiconductor lasers (VECSELs) have long been investigated as possible next-generation LGS sources due to their high optical power, good beam quality, and ability to tune the emission wavelength. Here, we present the design and characterization of an emerging platform that shows potential in a high-power semiconductor laser, specifically in LSG applications. Using membrane external-cavity surface-emitting lasers (MECSELs), we demonstrated a record output power of 28.5 W adopting the in-well pumping technique. This allowed the reduction of the quantum defect, which typically hinders high power operation in standard barrier-pumped semiconductor lasers. Comparing the barrier-pumping and in-well pumping schemes showed slope efficiencies of 21.6% and 39.5%, respectively. A multi-pass scheme was designed for recirculating the in-well pump beam. Moreover, a tuning range of 71 nm from 1124 nm to 1195 nm was achieved with a 2 mm birefringent filter which led to a 1.7 nm linewidth at 1178 nm for future frequency conversion to 589 nm.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Mingyang Zhang, Davide Priante, Alexander R. Albrecht, Garrett D. Cole, and Mansoor Sheik-Bahae "High-power in-well pumped MECSEL emitting at 1178 nm for sodium guide star applications", Proc. SPIE 11984, Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VECSELs) XI, 1198403 (4 March 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2609740

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