125-MJ DIODE-PUMPED INJECTION-SEEDED HO-TM-YLF LASER

We describe a diode-pumped, room-temperature Ho:Tm:YLF power oscillato r with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 0.03. A Q-switched output e nergy of as much as 125 mJ at 6 Hz with a pulse width of 170 ns was ob tained. Single-frequency, nearly transform-limited operation of the la ser was achieved by injection seeding. Laser performance as a function of laser rod temperature and pump intensity was also investigated. Th e high power and high beam quality of this laser make it well suited f or use as a coherent wind lidar transmitter on a space platform. (C) 1 998 Optical Society of America.