Optika Atmosfery i Okeana Journal

Vol. 25, issue 03, article # 11

Laptev A. V., Pestryakov E. V., Petrov V. V., Trunov V. I., Kirpichnikov A. V., Merzlyakov M. A., Polyakov K. V. Thermo-optical effects in diode end-pumped Yb-doped laser crystals and sesquioxide ceramics. // Optika Atmosfery i Okeana. 2012. V. 25. No. 03. P. 260-263 [in Russian].
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Abstract:

In this work we experimentally determined values of focal length for thermal lenses in diode end-pumped Yb³⁺ : YVO₄, Yb³⁺ : Gd_0.64Y_0.36VO₄ crystals and Yb³⁺ : Y₂O₃, Yb³⁺ : Sc₂O₃ laser ceramics. A chosen method for determination of thermal lens in solid state laser media as a function of pump power was based on measurement of a focal point displacement. In theoretical calculations of focal length of thermal lens we took into account effects of temperature and stress-dependent variations of the refractive index and distortion end faces of crystal. Data of focal lengths for thermal lenses in vanadate crystals and Yb : Y₂O₃, Yb : Sc₂O₃ ceramics were obtained for the first time. Results were used for creation of terawatt femtosecond laser system with a repetition rate of 1 kHz.

Keywords:

diode pumping, Yb³⁺-doped active media, thermal lens, femtosecond laser system