Solid-state laser having a reflector that transmits IR and UV radiation

The possibility has been investigated of stabilizing the energy parameters of a naturally cooled laser by using a selective reflector that provides for the maximum reflectances in the operating pumping bands of the neodymium activated active media, while transmitting in the rest of the lamp radiation spectrum. This illuminator is designed to provide the best match between the spectrum of radiation incident on the active element and the absorption bands of the active medium in order to reduce heat evolution, and to reduce heating of the active element by enhancing the natural radiation heat removal. A 20-micron thick mica reflector covered with a multilayer dielectric coating made from refractory oxides was tested. For an identical initial radiation energy level the pump energy for the laser having a selective and conventional reflector was 30 and 15 J, respectively. The radiation energy of the laser with a selective inhibitor was stabilized in the initial time interval.