Nd:YAG split-disk laser amplifier for 10 J output energy

A prototype split-disk amplifier consisted of four Nd:YAG ceramics and single crystals was demonstrated with a 3.7 cm square clear aperture. A single-pass small-signal gain of 2.0 and a total stored energy of 11.1 J in the eight YAG disks were obtained. The maximum output energy of 10.4 J with the YAG disk amplifier was achieved in a single-shot operation. A near-field pattern of 31 mm × 31 mm square with super Gaussian shape was measured.