Power Scaling in a Diode-End-Pumped Multisegmented Nd:YVO<inline-formula><tex-math>$_{\bf 4}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> Laser With Double-Pass Power Amplification

Abstract

We demonstrate a high-power master oscillator power amplifier with the double-pass configuration based on the specially designed multisegmented Nd:YVO 4 crystals. A powerful mathematical technique on the basis of the Fourier eigenfunction expansion method is developed for precisely calculating the temperature distribution inside the gain medium. A seed Nd:YVO 4 oscillator under dual-end pumping is subsequently constructed for efficiently emitting the output power of up to 50 W. Moreover, under a total incident pump power of 244 W at 808 nm, as high as 108 W of the output power at 1064 nm is further generated in our developed master oscillator power amplifier system. Theoretical and experimental results clearly reveal that the gain medium with multiple doping concentrations is practically valuable for constructing a high-power end-pumped laser without bringing in significantly thermal effects.Index Terms-Diode-pumped laser, high-power laser, master oscillator power amplifier, multisegmented laser crystal.