Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5007486 | Optics & Laser Technology | 2017 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
To improve the output beam stability of a TEM00-mode solar-pumped laser, a twisted fused silica light-guide was used to achieve uniform pumping along a 3 mm diameter and 50 mm length Nd:YAG rod. The concentrated solar power at the focal spot of a primary parabolic mirror with 1.18 m2 effective collection area was efficiently coupled to the entrance aperture of a 2D-CPC/2V-shaped pump cavity, within which the thin laser rod was pumped. Optimum solar laser design parameters were found through ZEMAX© non-sequential ray-tracing and LASCAD© laser cavity analysis codes. 2.3 W continuous-wave TEM00-mode 1064 nm laser power was measured, corresponding to 1.96 W/m2 collection efficiency and 2.2 W laser beam brightness figure of merit. Excellent TEM00-mode laser beam profile at M2 â¤Â 1.05 and very good output power stability of less than 1.6% were achieved. Heliostat orientation error dependent laser power variation was considerably less than previous solar laser pumping schemes.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Authors
R. Bouadjemine, D. Liang, J. Almeida, S. Mehellou, C.R. Vistas, A. Kellou, E. Guillot,