Sapphire K-Rb lamp - An efficient source for continuous pumping of YAG:Nd lasers

The design, fabrication technology, spectral energy, and operational characteristics of a sapphire K-Rb lamp for pumping YAG:Nd lasers are described. The spectral radiation distribution of the lamp at a power of 400 W (5.8 A at 70 V) in the 500-900 nm range is presented, and the efficiency of the lamp at a fixed power is determined as a function of the specific voltage for the 250-400 W range. It is shown that, within the range of specific powers from 50 to 100 W/cm, the sapphire K-Rb lamp exceeds by a factor of 1.5-2 the pumping efficiency of krypton arc lamps.