Solar-pumped lasers: A review

A comparative analysis of various gas and solid state solar pumped lasers is presented. The review includes photodissociation solar pumped lasers, solar pumped laser systems employing ideal black body coatings or devices to absorb solar radiation, and solar pumped solid state lasers. The maximum efficiency, optimum transverse dimensions of the active medium and required solar energy concentration for solar pumped lasers are tabulated. Most laser arrangements can provide, under optimal conditions, maximum efficiency at the 3 to 5% level; however, all solar pumped lasers that were developed to data have efficiency significantly lower than 1%.