Berlin 2001 – scientific programme

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Q: Quantenoptik

Q 31: Poster: Laser

Q 31.6: Poster

Friday, April 6, 2001, 12:30–15:00, AT2

Optimizing the mode volume for transversally pumped solid state rod lasers with high brightness — •Michael Seefeldt, Guido Klemz, Axel Heuer, and Ralf Menzel — Institute of Physics, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany

The maximum average output power of solid state rod lasers with fundamental mode operation strongly depends on an appropriate adaption of the mode volume to the inversion volume of the active material. The maximum mode volume is limited on one side by diffraction losses caused by the rod aperture, whereas the inversion volume is mainly determined by the reflection properties of the cavity. On the other side, thermally induced birefringence limits the maximum useful mode volume, too. By using a fundamental mode discrimination inside the resonator the maximum attainable brightness was investigated for a given laser head. Experimental results are presented for a diffuse and a specular reflecting cavity. The Nd:YAG laser was operated with a maximum pump power of 10 kW and a repetition rate of 1 kHz. (Funded by the BMBF and the VDI.)