High-power waveguide lasers

Denis R. Hall; Howard J. Baker

doi:10.1117/12.321585

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14 September 1998 High-power waveguide lasers

Denis R. Hall, Howard J. Baker

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Proceedings Volume 3343, High-Power Laser Ablation; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321585
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 1998, Santa Fe, NM, United States

Abstract

During the past few years high power lasers which incorporate intracavity optical waveguiding have been demonstrated in a number of different geometric formats. These include rectangular planar waveguide structures, two-dimensional multi-element waveguide array lasers and annular waveguide devices, all of which depend crucially on the operational flexibility of the transverse radiofrequency excitation technique. Here, we review the fundamental issues which underlie the attractions of the use of waveguiding structures in the design and construction of ultracompact, diffusion- cooled lasers which are efficient and operate at high average power levels. In particular, we review the properties of large area discharge planar waveguide CO₂/CO lasers, where multi-kilowatt cw power levels have been demonstrated with excellent beam quality and efficiency. It is shown that similar concepts may also be applied to solid state lasers. In addition, the use of the multi-element array concept for high power scaling will be examined, and the operating characteristics of an ultra-compact 64 (4 X 16) element array laser operating at 2 kW cw output power will be described.

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Denis R. Hall and Howard J. Baker "High-power waveguide lasers", Proc. SPIE 3343, High-Power Laser Ablation, (14 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.321585

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