High-Power VECSELs with Good Beam Quality

Science Research Laboratory (SRL) proposes to develop an optically pumped high-efficiency, good-beam-quality vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) that is scalable to multi-kilowatt power levels. Unlike the more conventional edge-emitting diode lasers, VECSELs are characterized by (1) a small gain-medium thickness (~1 micron) along the laser-propagation direction; (2) the potential for high power with optical-conversion efficiencies of ~ 50% when pumped optically; and (3) the attainability of a large-area, high-power single-spatial-mode laser beam in an external resonator. In this Phase II SRL will demonstrate a VECSEL with an optical power of 10 watts and good beam quality (M-squared less than 2).