TEMPERATURE AND GAIN DYNAMICS IN FLASHLAMP-PUMPED ER-YAG

A novel optical transmission method was used for measuring transient t emperature dynamics inside an Er:YAG laser crystal during optical pump ing with flashlamp pulses of different duration and spectral compositi on. Time-resolved measurements of the crystal gain at 2.93 mu m were a lso performed for the same set of pumping conditions, The results are compared with predictions of a theoretical model for gain and temperat ure dynamics during optical pumping of Er:YAG, A good spatial resoluti on of the implemented temperature measurement method was utilized also to determine the lateral temperature profiles inside the laser rod un der various pumping conditions.