Implementation of the concept of neutral gain modules in thin-disk lasers

Abstract

Experimental results of the implementation of our concept of neutral gain modules (NGM) in high-power thin-disk lasers are presented. To demonstrate power scalability and high brightness, series of NGMs comprising up to four Yb:YAG thin-disk laser modules have been integrated in various ways into stable and unstable resonators. Furthermore, to compensate for the parabolic component of the remaining thermal lens effects in the high-power regime, an intracavity deformable mirror was embedded. On the basis of the underlying concept, in our experiments an output power of nearly 3 kW with a beam propagation factor M2 = 5 as well as a brightness up to B = 21 GW/(cm2 sr) could be demonstrated. Compensating systematically for the nonparabolic components of the phase aberrations, the concept also enables a further enhancement of the beam quality. The principle is transferable to other laser configurations, e.g., master oscillator power amplifier systems.