title: Temperature dependence and optimization of 970-nm diode-pumped Yb:YAG and Yb:LuAG lasers.
abstract: We have investigated the temperature dependence of output performances for 970-nm diode-pumped Yb:YAG (Yb(3+):Y(3)Al(5)O(12)) and Yb:LuAG (Yb(3+):Lu(3)Al(5)O(12)) lasers over the wide temperature range from 80 to 310 K. Temperature-optimized operation was experimentally demonstrated at around 160 K and was theoretically confirmed by taking into account the absorption spectra change of Yb crystals at low temperatures. Cooling the crystal to below 160 K caused a narrowing of the absorption bandwidth and led to a decrease in output power and efficiency.
authors.affiliation: NEC Corporation, 4-1-1 Miyazaki, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216, Japan. kasamatu@oel.cl.nec.co.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasamatsu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sekita
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuwano