Fast switchable CW to ultrashort pulsed high-power laser beam from a single thin-disk multipass amplifier

Christian Schmittner; André Loescher; Colin Reiff; Thomas Graf; Marwan Abdou Ahmed

doi:10.1117/12.2691163

12 March 2024 Fast switchable CW to ultrashort pulsed high-power laser beam from a single thin-disk multipass amplifier

Christian Schmittner, André Loescher, Colin Reiff, Thomas Graf, Marwan Abdou Ahmed

Proceedings Volume 12864, Solid State Lasers XXXIII: Technology and Devices; 128640B (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2691163
Event: SPIE LASE, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

To open up new opportunities in laser material processing, combining multiple processes in parallel or fast sequence schemes is a promising concept. A single laser source with dynamic and flexible operation modes is highly demanded for these tasks. In this contribution, we will present a versatile laser system which is the first step toward the Universal Laser Machine capable of being used for a broad range of laser-based manufacturing tasks. The laser system presented here consists of a single thin-disk multipass amplifier capable of sequentially or simultaneously amplifying both Continuous Wave (CW) and Ultra-Short Pulsed (USP) laser radiation and delivering kW-class average output power. The approach uses a polarization-multiplexing scheme to amplify two seeds (CW and sub-10 picoseconds) within a common amplifier. This allows for the generation of a single, nearly diffraction-limited output beam composed of CW or USP or both CW and USP radiation at a wavelength of 1030 nm. High versatility of the system is achieved by the implementation of multiple acousto-optic modulators, which enables fast (on a microsecond timescale) switching capabilities between different powers and operation modes. A quick change between the operation state of sole CW, sole USP, and combined output radiation with arbitrary power ratio can thus be realized. Furthermore, our system includes the possibility of a seamless adjustment of the absolute average output power values of each CW and USP fraction of the generated beam.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Christian Schmittner, André Loescher, Colin Reiff, Thomas Graf, and Marwan Abdou Ahmed "Fast switchable CW to ultrashort pulsed high-power laser beam from a single thin-disk multipass amplifier", Proc. SPIE 12864, Solid State Lasers XXXIII: Technology and Devices, 128640B (12 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2691163

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