title: Estimation of thermal fracture limits in quasi-continuous-wave end-pumped lasers through a time-dependent analytical model.
abstract: A time-dependent analytical thermal model of the temperature and the corresponding induced thermal stresses on the pump face of quasi- continuous wave (qcw) end-pumped laser rods is derived. We apply the model to qcw diode-end-pumped rods and show the maximum peak pump power that can be utilized without fracturing the rod. To illustrate an application of the model, it is applied to a qcw pumped Tm:YLF rod and found to be in very good agreement with published experimental results. The results indicate new criteria to avoid fracture when operating Tm:YLF rods at low qcw pump duty cycles.
authors.affiliation: Counsil for Scientific and Industrial Research, National Laser Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Bernhardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bollig
authors.forename: M J D
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Esser
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D013696:Temperature