Abstract
An actual spark plug-sized laser with ignitable, three beam output was successfully demonstrated for simultaneous multi-point ignition of automobile engines. The closed parallel laser array consisted of a single active source of a composite, 10-mm long all-ceramics Nd:YAG/Cr:YAG monolithic laser cavity and three independent pump and focus optics lines. Laser pulses with energy of 3.2 mJ and a duration of 500 ps (> 6 MW peak power) were obtained from each laser at 20-Hz repetitions.
