Solar pumped Nd:YAG laser efficiency enhancement using Cr:LiCAF frequency down-shifter

• The new simple approach for solar pumped lasers providing effective conversion of solar-to-laser power is proposed.
• The approach based on enhancement of solar pumped laser's efficiency via external frequency conversion of large amount of unabsorbed solar photons.
• The pumping efficiency of 33% has been obtained by the simulation calculation method.

The possibility of increase of Nd:YAG solar pumped lasers pumping efficiency with the use of Cr:LiCAF as a solar spectrum frequency-down-shifting element is studied by the simulation calculation method. Comparative analyses of side- and end-pumping schemes are conducted. The numerical experiments have been conducted for combinations of Nd:YAG active medium and Cr:LiCAF for both side- and end-pumping configurations. It is shown that the use of Cr:LiCAF frequency down-shifter significantly increases the pumping efficiency of Nd:YAG active medium in both cases. In addition the replacement of Nd:YAG with cerium co-doped Nd:YAG have shown possibility of further increase the efficiency.