A compact, high-power single-frequency laser based on Nd:YAG slab amplifier

High-power all-solid-state lasers have received widespread attentions as the core component of space debris observing systems, however, the system's efficiency and thermal management constrain certain practical applications. A novel kind of master oscillator power-amplifier (MOPA) system with a high optical efficiency, compact structure and simple cooling system was proposed and demonstrated, which based on single-frequency seeder and diode bounce-pumped slab amplifier. By injecting a single frequency laser, the output pulse energy achieved is about 310 mJ (@532 nm, 200 Hz), which has excellent parameters including pulse duration of 4.8 ns, beam quality M2 of 3.0 and power stability (RMS) of 1.0% for 4 h. Most importantly, the proposed MOPA system has been successfully used for space debris observations for the first time, which strongly indicates that it is a promising solution.