Detailed numerical analyses are presented of a continuous wave (cw), single spatial mode alkali vapor laser pumped by a diffraction-limited Ti: Sapphire laser. These analyses provide insight into the operation of alkali vapor lasers to aid in the development of high power, diode laser pumped alkali vapor lasers. It is demonstrated that in the laser considered the laser spatial pattern is significantly changed after each pass through the gain medium, and the laser spatial pattern in steady state operation is also very different from that of the passive cavity mode. According to the calculation, lasing significantly improves the pump absorption efficiency and changes the absorbed pump distribution. The effect of varying the transverse size of the pumped region is also analyzed and an optimum pump beam waist radius is demonstrated. In addition, the shift of the pump beam waist location is also studied. The computation method and its convergence behavior are also described in detail.

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Presented is a study of a coaxial, hybrid-stable-unstable resonator for high power lasers. The coaxial configuration allows the realization of the outcoupling and rear mirror in one mechanical structure with the incorporation of an axicon mirror with retroreflective characteristics as an intra-cavity folding mirror. The design of the stable direction is investigated to optimize the set-up for best beam quality and minimized alignment sensitivity. Additionally, the instable direction is examined to achieve an even heat load on the mirrors. Simulations of the laser structure are performed and compared to measurements.

During the first 20 years of TRUMPF's existence as a laser company, it developed a reputation for standard products for applications, now referred to as the traditional industrial applications: laser cutting and welding of steel and aluminum. During the same time, TRUMPF acquired five basic technology platforms -fast-flow and diffusion-cooled CO 2 lasers, thin disk, diode and fiber lasers.The standard products cover only a small section of the multi-dimensional parameter space that can be covered with these five basic technologies. These platforms, however, provide enormous flexibility and highly reliable building blocks that are now used to fill white areas in the parameter space, enabling novel applications unrelated to the original applications for these technologies.Presented are some examples of how the scaling of these technologies has led to unique and novel laser devices and applications. They include the generation of EUV with CO 2 lasers, short-pulse applications with diffusion-cooled and fast-flow CO 2 lasers for processing of composite materials and plastics. Laser output power, the traditional main characteristic for CO 2 lasers, made way for pulse energies, pulse lengths and wavelength. The traditional cw thin disk laser platform was transformed into short and ultra-short pulse lasers with wavelengths down to 343 nm. Diode lasers evolved from low brightness pump sources for thin disk lasers to diode direct lasers.This flexibility will ensure that remaining white spaces in the parameter space can be filled in the future as required.

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