Abstract

We have designed a low loss mounting scheme for zigzag slab lasers. This scheme includes a Teflon® AF coating to protect the slab total internal reflection (TIR) surfaces. In addition, the slab is conduction cooled through a window to isolate the water flow from the slab surfaces. This design was initially tested on a line-pumped slab laser which operated with 5 watts of output power at a pump power of 28 watts. The laser operated in a TEM₀₀ mode at all powers. The low loss protective coating allowed this laser to operate on the lower gain line of Nd:YAG at 1.32, with 1.1 watt of output power at the same pump power. Since that time, a higher power laser has been built. This laser operates with a 20% slope efficiency, with an output power of 30 watts at a pump power of 160 watts.

© 1994 Optical Society of America