Page 252 - High Power Laser Handbook

220 So l i d - S t at e La s e r s Nd:YAG Ceramic ThinZag® High-Power Laser Development 221

40

35
30

25
Power (kW) 20

15
10 50 A
60 A
5
70 A
0
−1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time (s)
Figure 9.18 Characteristic output power from the three-module ThinZag
configuration.

somewhat below the optimum feedback needed for the three-module
configuration tested.
The laser was operated in 5-s bursts to ensure that steady-state
operation was achieved by the end of the run. Characteristic output
powers for 5-s runs are shown in Fig. 9.18. Laser output powers of
between 15 and 30 kW were achieved with beam qualities of 2.4 xDL
at the lower powers and 3.3 xDL at the highest powers. The diode
pump source is capable of higher current operation, which should
result in increased laser output power.
The next scaling of the device was to couple six TZ-3 modules
into a single-aperture laser to produce 100 kW laser output. An engi-
neer’s drawing showing six TZ-3 modules on two coupled 5 × 10 ft
optical benches is shown in Fig. 9.19. This device recently achieved

Figure 9.19 Layout design for six TZ-3 modules for 100-kW ThinZag laser on
two coupled 5 × 10 ft optical benches.