Thermal conductivity measurements of laser crystals by infrared thermography. Application to Nd:doped crystals.
We present a thermal conductivity measurement method for laser crystals based on thermal mapping of the crystal face by an infrared camera. Those measurements are performed under end-pumping of the laser crystal and during laser operation. The calculation of the fraction of pump power converted into heat is therefore simplified, and it is possible to link easily the temperature in the crystal to the thermal conductivity. We demonstrate the efficiency of this measurement method with a Nd:YAG crystal, before using it to compare Nd:YVO(4) and Nd:GdVO(4) crystals.
Laboratoire Charles Fabry de l'Institut d'Optique,CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Campus Polytechnique, RD 128, 91127 Palaiseau Cedex, France. Julien.didierjean@institutoptique.fr
Julien
J
Didierjean
Emilie
E
Herault
François
F
Balembois
Patrick
P
Georges
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009354:Neodymium; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013814:Thermal Conductivity; D013817:Thermography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
D009354:Neodymium