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Optics Express

Optics Express

  • Editor: C. Martijn de Sterke
  • Vol. 18, Iss. 16 — Aug. 2, 2010
  • pp: 17262–17272

Optics InfoBase > Optics Express > Volume 18 > Issue 16 > Page 17262

Effects of the excitation density on the laser output of two differently doped Yb:YAG ceramics

Angela Pirri, Guido Toci, Daniele Alderighi, and Matteo Vannini  »View Author Affiliations


Optics Express, Vol. 18, Issue 16, pp. 17262-17272 (2010)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.18.017262


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Abstract

We report the behavior of two Yb3+ doped ceramics (i.e. 10% at. and 20% at.) under quasi-continuous wave laser pumping. Two different behaviors are found depending on the density of Yb3+ in the excited level. Experimental results show that at low population inversion density, the maximum output power and the efficiency are almost independent on the doping concentration. In particular, an output power as high as 8.9 W with a corresponding slope efficiency of 52% with respect to the injected pump power was reached with the 20% at. sample. Conversely, at high population inversion densities, the 20% doped sample shows a sudden decrease of the laser output for increasing pump power, due to the onset of a nonlinear loss mechanism. Finally, we report a comparison of the experimental results with numerical simulations for the evaluation of the inversion density and of the temperature distribution.

© 2010 OSA

OCIS Codes
(140.0140) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers and laser optics
(140.3580) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, solid-state
(140.3600) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, tunable
(140.5680) Lasers and laser optics : Rare earth and transition metal solid-state lasers
(160.3380) Materials : Laser materials

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: May 24, 2010
Revised Manuscript: June 23, 2010
Manuscript Accepted: July 7, 2010
Published: July 29, 2010

Citation
Angela Pirri, Guido Toci, Daniele Alderighi, and Matteo Vannini, "Effects of the excitation density on the laser output of two differently doped Yb:YAG ceramics," Opt. Express 18, 17262-17272 (2010)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-18-16-17262


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