A modified model for the LD pumped 2 μm Tm:YAG laser: Thermal behavior and laser performance

A modified three-dimensional (3-D) plane-wave model is developed to analyze the laser performance and temperature distribution in an end-pumped Tm:YAG slab laser. A numerical iterative method is used to calculate the stable distributions of laser intensity and temperature. This three-dimensional model provides a more practical method than traditional 2-D model to analyze laser systems with non-uniform temperature distribution. Experiments using Tm:YAG ceramic slabs are carried out to examine the influence of coolant fluid temperature on laser output. The experimentally acquired data are found to be in reasonable agreement with the theoretical predictions.