Compact High-Power-VCSEL-Array Pumped Solid-State Lasers

Abstract

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) can be processed in large two-dimensional (2-D) arrays of single emitters to scale up the power for solid-state laser pumping. VCSEL-based kW-level 808 nm pump modules, comprising multiple 2-D arrays, were developed to pump compact Nd:YAG lasers. Various quasi-CW (QCW) VCSEL-pumped pulsed Nd:YAG lasers were investigated, both in end- and sidepumping configurations, demonstrating the viability of VCSEL pumping of compact solid-state lasers.