Experimental and theoretical characterization of ceramic slab DPSSLs with different formats and resonators

In the framework of a national applied research project we have been designing and testing several different prototypes of ceramic slab Nd:YAG Lasers pumped by various laser diode arrays in vertical and horizontal stacks. We also investigated possible variations of the slab geometry. To reduce thermal effects, architecture with transverse (in the thinner cross-sectional dimension) or lateral (in the wider cross-sectional dimension) zig-zag propagation have been compared. Face- and edge-pumping have been tested with different diode stacks configurations. Finally the adoption of multipass-stable or hybrid stable-unstable resonators has been thoroughly investigated in CW and Pulsed operation. Compactness, efficiency and ruggedness have been the principal design drivers of our work. Nevertheless beam quality and insensitivity to diodes temperature have also been looked for. In this presentation the results of the whole research activity are summarized and explained.