Publications

Robust, efficient, optical-damage-resistant, 200 mJ nanosecond ultraviolet light source for satellite-based lidar applications

Armstrong, Darrell J.; Smith, A.V.

Conventional wisdom contends that high-energy nanosecond UV laser sources operate near the optical damage thresholds of their constituent materials. This notion is particularly true for nonlinear frequency converters like optical parametric oscillators, where poor beam quality combined with high intra-cavity fluence leads to catastrophic failure of crystals and optical coatings. The collective disappointment of many researchers supports this contention. However, we're challenging this frustrating paradigm by developing high-energy nanosecond UV sources that are efficient, mechanically robust, and most important, resistant to optical damage. Based on sound design principles developed through numerical modeling and rigorous laboratory testing, our sources generate 8-10 ns 190 mJ pulses at 320 nm with fluences ≤ 1 J/cm 2. Using the second harmonic of a Q-switched, injection-seeded Nd: YAG laser as the pump source, we convert the near-IR Nd:YAG fundamental to UV with optical-to-optical efficiency exceeding 21%. © 2005 Materials Research Society.