Solid-State Laser Engineering

X 12 Damage of optical elements 12.1 Surface darnage 586 12.2 Inclusion darnage 588 12.3 Self-focusing 589 12.4 Darnage thresho1d of optica1 materials 595 12.5 Systemdesign considerations 601 Appendix A: Laser safety 1.1.1 Blackbody radiation When electromagnetic radiation in an isothermal enclosure, or cavity, is in thermal equilibrium at temperature T, the distribution ofradiation density p(v) dv, contained in a bandwidth dv, is given by The conditions for Iaser action at optical frequencies were first described by Schawlow and Townes [2.1] in 1958. The first demonstration oflaser action by Maiman [2.2] was achieved in 1960 using ruby (Cr 3 + : Al 2 0 3 ), a crystalline solid system. The next step in the development of solid-state Iasers was the operation of trivalent Summary Good review articles with references to the original work on Iaser host and impurity ions can be found in [2.8, 2.9, 2.49-2.51]. A very useful reference article is the chapter on "Insulating Crystal Lasers" in the Handbook of Lasers [2.52]. The chapter contains 'fi The first decade of solid-state Iaser technology has seen the development of an enormous number of lasing materials and a!arge variety of interesting design concepts. However, in recent years the technology has matured to a point where solid-state Iasers have reached a plateau in their development. To a major extent, the growth in importance of solid-state Iasers for industrial and military applications and as a general research tool is due to the improvement in reliability and maintainability of these systems. The practical advances of these devices had several major consequences: A wealth of applications for solid-state Iasers has emerged in materials processing, holography, rangefinding, target illumination and designation, satellite and lunar ranging, thermonuclear fusion, plasma experiments, and in general for scientific work requiring high power densities. Emphasis has shifted from research and innovation to cost reduction and system improve­ ment. As a result, a standardization of the system designs occurred. This book, written from an industrial vantage-point, provides a detailed discussion of solid-state Iasers, their characteristics, design and construction, and practical problems. The title Solid-State Laser Engineering is chosen so as to convey the emphasis which is placed on engineering and practical considerations. The First Decade Of Solid-state Iaser Technology Has Seen The Development Of An Enormous Number Of Lasing Materials And A !arge Variety Of Interesting Design Concepts. However, In Recent Years The Technology Has Matured To A Point Where Solid-state Iasers Have Reached A Plateau In Their Development. To A Major Extent, The Growth In Importance Of Solid-state Iasers For Industrial And Military Applications And As A General Research Tool Is Due To The Improvement In Reliability And Maintainability Of These Systems. The Practical Advances Of These Devices Had Several Major Consequences: A Wealth Of Applications For Solid-state Iasers Has Emerged In Materials Processing, Holography, Rangefinding, Target Illumination And Designation, Satellite And Lunar Ranging, Thermonuclear Fusion, Plasma Experiments, And In General For Scientific Work Requiring High Power Densities. Emphasis Has Shifted From Research And Innovation To Cost Reduction And System Improve Ment. As A Result, A Standardization Of The System Designs Occurred. This Book, Written From An Industrial Vantage-point, Provides A Detailed Discussion Of Solid-state Iasers, Their Characteristics, Design And Construction, And Practical Problems. The Title Solid-state Laser Engineering Is Chosen So As To Convey The Emphasis Which Is Placed On Engineering And Practical Considerations. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Optical amplification....Pages 1-31 Properties of solid-state laser materials....Pages 32-73 Laser oscillator....Pages 74-122 Laser amplifier....Pages 123-170 Optical resonator....Pages 171-244 Optical pump systems....Pages 245-343 Heat removal....Pages 344-396 Q-Switches and external switching devices....Pages 397-455 Mode locking....Pages 456-488 Nonlinear devices....Pages 489-536 Design of lasers relevant to their application....Pages 537-584 Damage of optical elements....Pages 585-607 Back Matter....Pages 609-620