Abstract
Because of their compactness and possibility of attaining high efficiency, laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers are expected to be applied to laser-based processes such as welding, cutting, drilling and marking. In the “Advanced Photon Processing and Measurement Technologies” project, we have developed and designed a high-power laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser using simulation techniques such as a ray tracing, thermal analysis, and so on. We have successfully obtained a maximum output power of 12 kW with an efficiency of 23%, which to the best of our knowledge are the highest values for an Nd:YAG laser.
