Abstract

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has initiated a three year effort to develop'super high efficiency diode sources' (SHEDS) for pumping solid state lasers, especially Yb and Nd lasers. Goals to achieve by 18 months include 65% wall plug efficiency from a diode bar emitting 80 Watts and having a spectral purity of 2 nm and a uniformity over the emitting surface of plus or minus 0.5 nm. Goals for the end of the 3 year program include 80% wall plug efficiency from a diode stack emitting 480 Watts and having the same spectral purity and uniformity as for the 18 month goals. Techniques that are being pursued and progress toward achieving these goals ill be presented.

© 2004 Optical Society of America