Simulation of performance of end-pumped Yb:YAG thin disk lasers

Abstract

Here, we have used the temperature-dependant form of the Boltzmann occupation factors, absorption and stimulated cross sections, and thermal conductivity of the Yb:YAG crystal for a more accurate consideration of various operating variables important for a typical thin-disk laser. A Monte Carlo ray tracing based code and 2D finite element analysis (FEA) with the ANSYS package have been used to calculate the absorption power and temperature distribution inside the crystal, respectively. Then, according to derived equations from a set of coupled rate equations, we have modeled the laser output power.