Highly efficient 2 μm Tm:YAG ceramic laser

Abstract

We have experimentally demonstrated a highly efficient diode-pumped Tm:YAG ceramic laser operating at 2 μm wavelength. The maximum output power of 6.05 W was realized with a slope efficiency as high as 65%. As far as we know, it is the highest slope efficiency reported for Tm:YAG ceramic laser. The wavelength tuning experiment of Tm:YAG ceramic laser was carried out and the results suggest that Tm:YAG ceramic laser could operate simultaneously at multiple wavelengths in a wide range of 1884-2017 nm.

Spectroscopic properties and laser performance of Tm:YAG ceramics

“…In 2009, a diodepumped Tm:YAG ceramic slab laser with output power of 4.5 W and slope efficiency of 20.5% was reported for the first time [14]. In 2011, an output power of 7.3 W pumped at 1617 nm was realized [15], and recently, a slope efficiency of 65% was obtained [16].…”

Measurement of output characteristics of Tm:YAG laser at 25–300K

“…Among all the Tmdoped crystals, YAG crystal has the advantages of high mechanical strength and large thermal conductivity which can withstand more heat in a high-power laser system. For these reasons, much work has been done on the development of Tm:YAG laser [7][8][9][10].…”

Mid-infrared waveguide lasers in rare-earth-doped YAG

“…Highly efficient, 2 μm laser operation from Tm:YAG in both bulk and planar waveguide configuration has been reported [11][12][13][14]. The formation of buried waveguides by the ULI technique relies on the permanent increase or reduction of the substrate refractive index at the nonlinear focal volume of the laser pulses [3].…”