CW and Q-switched performance of end-pumped Yb:YAG laser with elliptical mode geometry

Abstract

We report the high beam quality diode end-pumped Q-switched Yb:YAG laser operating at 1030 nm wavelength with elliptical cavity mode configuration operating at 1–100 kHz repetition rates. We have performed measurements of highly astigmatic thermal lens in laser active element by means of Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor that provides necessary data for laser cavity design. With optimized laser cavity the output beam quality parameter M² does not exceed 1.2 value even at maximum pump power of 50 W.
Keywords: Yb:YAG, elliptical mode, thermal lens
PACS: 42.55.Xi, 42.60.By