EFFICIENT GREEN YELLOW CONVERSION OF COPPER VAPOR LASER OUTPUT

The design and operating characteristics of a high average power yellow dye amplifier pumped by the green (ifλ = 510 nm) and injected by the yellow (ifλ = 578 nm) outputs of a CVL as the bases for efficient green-to-yellow conversion are reported. A simple longitudinal pump and injection geometry was employed to simultaneously couple the CVL pump and injection signals in the gain medium. Amplifier efficiency as functions of pump and injection focal power densities, dye concentration and gain length were investigated. Green-to-yellow amplifier efficiencies in excess of 50% are reported corresponding to approximately 70% initial CVL laser power becoming available in the yellow. A simple rate equation model for the amplifier is also described and used to evaluate the limitations of the scheme. © 1990.