Abstract
We have developed GEKKO XII Module glass laser, which is a two-beam 20cm-output aperture Nd: phosphate glass laser system. This paper is the first of the sequential papers describing this laser system. Total layout of the laser system is first described and then the testing results of the amplification property of the laser chain is given. We have obtained output power of 3.4 TW at a pulse width of 100ps. This output power is approximately 3 times higher than the value that has been obtained from a working Nd: silicate glass laser of comparable size and configuration. At a pulse width of 1ns, output energy of 567 J has been obtained. Further improvement of this performance is possible.
