Progress in solid-state slab-lasers

Advances in solid-state, slab-geometry lasers and their application to the development of laser sources tunable across the UV and IR spectral range and operable at a high-average-power level are discussed. A slab-type laser configuration is manufactured as a rectangular cross-section slab with plane parallel surfaces; the slab is simultaneously pumped and cooled through two opposite slab faces in order to attain a one-dimensional, steady-state thermal distribution and a temperature gradients normal to the slab faces. Constraints which limit the effectiveness of the slab-laser device, such as uniform pump distribution, proper coupling between flash lamp and gain material and slab cooling are examined. Various types of slab configurations and operation modes are described. The utilization of Nd:glass mediums for lasers is studied and their application in Q-switched oscillator-amplifiers and the generation of high-peak-power short-pulses of nanosecond and picosecond durations is proposed.