Robust, efficient, optical-damage-resistant, 200 mJ nanosecond ultraviolet light source for satellite-based lidar applications.
Conventional wisdom contends that high-energy nanosecond UV laser sources operate near the optical damage thresholds of their constituent materials. This notion is particularly true for nonlinear frequency converters like optical parametric oscillators, where poor beam quality combined with high intra-cavity fluence leads to catastrophic failure of crystals and optical coatings. The collective disappointment of many researchers supports this contention. However, we're challenging this frustrating paradigm by developing high-energy nanosecond UV sources that are efficient, mechanically robust, and most important, resistant to optical damage. Based on sound design principles developed through numerical modeling and rigorous laboratory testing, our sources generate 8-10 ns 190 mJ pulses at 320 nm with fluences < 1 J/sq-cm Using modified but otherwise conventional Nd:YAG lasers, we achieve near-IR to UV conversion efficiency exceeding 21%.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 948679
- Report Number(s):
- SAND2005-1588C; TRN: US200907%%154
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Proposed for presentation at the 2005 MRS Spring Meeting held March 28-April 1, 2005 in San Francisco, CA.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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