Modeling, numerical approach, and power scaling of alkali vapor lasers in side-pumped configuration with flowing medium

Diode alkali vapor lasers (DPALs) with a flowing medium provide a pathway to extremely high-power CW or quasi-CW laser operations. In this article, the model for end-pumped alkali lasers [Beach et al., J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 21, 2151(2004)] is expanded to model DPALs in a side-pumped configuration. The difference between our model and the published model [Komashko et al., Proc. SPIE 7581, 75810H-1 (2010)] is studied, and a comparison with other people's experimental results [Zweiback et al., Proc. SPIE 7915, 791509-1 (2011)] is made, which demonstrates the validity of our model. Some important influencing factors are simulated and analyzed. A conceptual power-scaled design of a megawatt-class side-pumped flowing DPAL is made. The results demonstrate an optical-to-optical efficiency over 60% with all the other parameters reasonable and available in the near future. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America