Compact, diode-pumped, unstable cavity Yb:YAG laser and its application in laser shock peening

0545989 - FZÚ 2022 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Körner, J. - Zulic, Sanin - Reiter, J. - Lenski, M. - Hein, J. - Bödefeld, R. - Rostohar, D. - Mocek, T. - Kaluza, M.C.
Compact, diode-pumped, unstable cavity Yb:YAG laser and its application in laser shock peening.
Optics Express. Roč. 29, č. 10 (2021), s. 15724-15732. ISSN 1094-4087
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT EF15_006/0000674
EU Projects: European Commission(XE) 739573 - HiLASE CoE; European Commission(XE) 654148 - LASERLAB-EUROPE
Grant - others:OP VVV - HiLASE-CoE(XE) CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_006/0000674
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : Yb:YAG laser * laser shock peening
OECD category: Optics (including laser optics and quantum optics)
Impact factor: 3.833, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access

We present the setup of a compact, q-switched, cryogenically cooled Yb:YAG laser, which is capable of producing over 1 J output energy in a 10 ns pulse at 10 Hz. The system’s design is based on the recently published unstable cavity layout with gain shaping of the spatial intra-cavity intensity distribution. Using a hexagonal homogenized pump beam, the laser generated an according hexagonal output beam profile. The suitability of such laser properties for the intended use in a laser shock peening process is demonstrated. In the experiment an aluminum plate was treated and the generated residual stresses in the sample subsequently measured. Other applications of this laser system like laser pumping or surface cleaning are conceivable.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0322668