Asymmetrical dual-point pumped ceramic Nd:YAG rotary disk laser.

Abstract

In this study, asymmetrical dual-point pumping was proposed to be used in the rotary disk laser to improve the laser performance by controlling the spatial separation between the two heat deposition rings inside the rotary gain medium. To validate this method, a 1064-nm ceramic Nd:YAG rotary disk laser was investigated by analyzing the effect of the rotation radii of two pumping points and rotation rates on laser performance. Using dual-point pumping at different rotation radii of 9 mm and 6 mm, with respective pump powers of 18.6 W and 17.0 W, the laser emitted 10.3-W power with 32.7-% slope efficiency at an optimal rotation rate of 800 rpm. After comparing it with symmetrical dual-point pumping and single-point pumping, it was shown that asymmetrical dual-point pumping could be used for further power scaling of the rotary disk laser with good stability.