Source: Nature

The World of Bulk Lasers

Understanding Bulk Lasers

Bulk lasers are solid-state lasers that use a bulk piece of doped crystal or glass as the gain medium, rather than a waveguide structure. The laser resonator of a bulk laser typically consists of a laser crystal or glass, laser mirrors, and other optical elements like polarizers, prisms, and Q switches. These lasers are distinct from waveguide lasers and fiber lasers, with the gain medium usually doped with rare earth ions, transition metal ions, or color centers.

Free-space Beam Propagation

In bulk lasers, the beam propagates in free space between optical components, with the beam radius primarily determined by the design of the laser resonator. This design aspect impacts various factors such as pulse energy in Q-switched operation, threshold pump power, beam divergence, and thermal lensing effects. Optimized resonator design helps minimize issues like thermal lensing and alignment sensitivity.

Air Spaces in Bulk Lasers

Bulk lasers often feature air spaces between discrete laser mirrors, the crystal, and other optical elements. These air spaces allow for the insertion of additional optical elements, tuning of resonator mode properties, and adjustment of mirror alignment. However, air spaces can also lead to challenges such as dust deposition on optical components and the need for sealing laser housings for long-term reliability.

Comparison with Other Laser Types

Bulk lasers are favored for high peak power applications, while waveguide lasers excel in low-threshold and high-gain operations. Bulk lasers offer flexibility in laboratory setups due to ease of adding or exchanging optical elements, whereas waveguide lasers may be more cost-effective to manufacture.

Exploring Bulk Lasers Further

Bulk lasers play a crucial role in various applications requiring high peak power and flexibility in optical setups. Understanding the design principles and operational characteristics of bulk lasers can aid in optimizing their performance for specific applications.

Source: Cloudray Laser · Auf Lager
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