Optimal design of optically side-pumped lasers

Koshel, R. John

doi:10.1109/3.554900

Cited by 11 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Finally, an optimizer is added to the mode coupler analysis to determine the optimal TEM 00 mode for the determined gain distribution. 17 We discuss the model in more detail in the next two subsections. In Sec.…”

Section: Discussion and Validation Of Modeling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…After the pump light is absorbed within the gain medium, the coupling to the laser mode is calculated. 17 This step involves prescribing the mode distribution while using the absorption distribution determined within the ray-tracing step. Note that the gain distribution is equal to the absorption distribution multiplied by the upper state efficiency of the gain material, which is 72.2% for Nd:YAG.…”

Section: Discussion and Validation Of Modeling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An optimizer can be included in the mode-coupling calculation to optimize the mode selection for the modeled absorption distribution. 17 In this case, one typically minimizes the inverse of Eq. ͑5͒ ͑i.e., 1/ opt ).…”

Section: Mode-coupling Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Next, using the low-gain limit, which limits a quasi-cw laser to an output coupler of 30% maximum transmissivity, one can calculate the optical efficiency of the laser for a prescribed transverse mode. 17 The equation governing the mode coupling is…”

Section: Mode-coupling Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-edge-ray design: improved optical pumping of lasers

Koshel

2004

Opt. Eng

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We propose a novel design method for reflective nonimaging concentrators that is based on maximizing system performance beyond standard nonimaging metrics of transfer efficiency and proscribed illumination distribution. This new technique enables system operation characteristics to influence the algorithm, including nongeometrical parameters. This algorithm is termed non-edge-ray design (NERD) because we found that edge rays do not always give optimal illumination design. The case of a diode-pumped, Nd:YAG solid state laser is provided as a confirmation of the design utility. The pump-to-mode configuration, which includes a nonimaging pump cavity reflector, is the focus of this investigation. The merit function of the design process includes not only the transfer efficiency from an extended, 2-D laser diode array, but also the mode coupling of the absorption distribution within a laser rod to its desired output mode. Standard edge-ray design is shown to limit performance, with both numerical and experimental results. Two alternative pump cavity reflectors are developed and the improvements in the outputs from the lasers in TEM 00 modes are presented. A periodic cavity sees over 8% improvement in optical efficiency at an output power of 10 W, while an averaging cavity provides nearly 5% improvement.

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Section: Discussion and Validation Of Modeling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussion and Validation Of Modeling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mode-coupling Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mode-coupling Calculationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-edge-ray design: improved optical pumping of lasers

Koshel

2004

Opt. Eng

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“…While the PPC and APC are marginally better than the CPC, the model developed in Ref. [7] only includes diffraction within the resonator, single-mode coupling, and a few other terms. The inclusion of additional terms such as stress birefringence, amplified spontaneous emission, and modal losses would indicate that the PPC and APC provide significantly better results.…”

Section: Comparison Of Three Pump Cavitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

<title>Non-edge ray reflector design for illumination systems</title>

Koshel

2000

SPIE Proceedings

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Nonimaging reflectors designed with rays other than the edge rays allow the designer to tailor the irradiance distribution at the target surface, especially for targets located at a finite distance from the source. An iterative approach of the development of the reflector shape allows for both uniform and asynimetric light distributions to be generated. The defining rays are chosen due to the characteristics of the prescribed source and the desired light distribution at the target, or in other words the final reflector design is dependent on the required application. Two-dimensional reflector (2D) shapes (i.e., troughs) are developed herein, but the method can be extended to three-dimensional (3D) reflectors (i.e. , wells). Two examples employing specular reflectors for diode pumping of a solid-state laser rod are presented. These cases use a pseudo-imaging technique to direct the light to the preferred target. A final example develops a plastic lightguide that uses total-internal reflection (TIR) to obtain uniform illumination over a target plane.

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Lasers

Photonics

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The LASER light source, whose name is based on "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation", is the most important device in almost all photonic applications. First built in 1960 [6.1-6.5] it allows the generation of light with properties not available from natural light sources. Modern commercially available laser systems allow output powers of up to 10 20 W for short times with good beam quality and of several kW in continuos operation, usually with less good beam quality. Very short pulses with durations smaller than 5 · 10 −15 s, wavelengths from a few nm in the XUV to the far IR with several 10 µm, pulse energies of up to 10 4 J and frequency stability's and resolutions of better 10 −13 can be generated. The laser prices range from $ 1 to many millions of dollars and their size from less than a cubic mm to the dimensions of large buildings.The good coherence and beam quality of laser light in combination with high powers and short pulses are the basis for many nonlinear interactions, but the laser is a highly nonlinear optical device itself, using nonlinear properties of materials as described in the previous chapters. Therefore, the fundamental laws treated in Chap. 2 for the description of light as well as the description of linear and nonlinear interactions of light with matter in Chaps. 3, 4 and 5 are the basis for the analysis of laser operation and its light properties. Therefore, the theoretical description of laser devices represents an application of these laws and can be presented in this chapter in a compact form. For details the related sections of the previous chapters should be consulted. The different lasers and their constructions, as well as the resulting relevant light and operation parameters, are described and the consequences for photonic applications are discussed. Finally, possible classifications are given and safety aspects are mentioned. For further reading see [M6, M16, M17, M23-M25, M27, M28, M30, M33, M43, M44, M49, M50, M58-M65].

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Optimal design of optically side-pumped lasers

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Non-edge-ray design: improved optical pumping of lasers

Non-edge-ray design: improved optical pumping of lasers

<title>Non-edge ray reflector design for illumination systems</title>

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