Ytterbium-Based Disk Amplifier for an Ultra-Short Pulse Lasera

We report on the development of a ytterbium-based disk amplifier for an ultra-short pulse laser using edge-pumped architecture and offering excellent scalability to high-average power in the kW-range. The disk has a composite construction with undoped perimetral edge designed to channel pump light while efficiently outcoupling amplified spontaneous emission. Uniform extraction of waste heat together with uniform pumping offers very low optical path distortion and allows for amplification of near diffraction limited beams in nanosecond-class pulses. This work discusses performance modeling of the edge-pumped disk amplifier using a newly developed time-dependent 2-dimensional (spatial) model for dynamic pumping and extraction. Selection of laser materials and an innovative two-disk amplifier architecture for multiple extractions are also presented.