Abstract
The results for cw- and q-switched operation as well as for amplification of short (ns) and ultra-short (ps, fs) pulses demonstrate the potential of the thin disk laser design. The scaling laws for this laser design show that the power limit for cw-operation is far beyond 10 kW for one single disk and the energy limit is higher than 1 J from one disk in pulsed operation. First results for laser materials processing demonstrate the potential of the thin disk laser design. Finally, a short overview of the industrial realization of the thin disk laser technology will be given.
