High power thin disk laser modules – like this actually tested module – are core components for the development pulsed lasers with high average power.
For many methods of remote detection pulsed radiation sources are necessary, both to achieve the necessary intensities and to obtain distance information via time-of-flight measurements. Further-more, nonlinear frequency conversion generally requires pulsed pump lasers. In particular, lasers that combine high pulse energy with high average power and good beam quality are not commercially available and are therefore being developed by the Institute of Technical Physics.
High pulse energies (> 1 J) and high average powers (> 1 kW) are necessary, for example, for determining the distance to small objects that are far away using pulsed time-of-flight measurements – for instance to detect so called space debris. In this way, extremely accurate trajectory data of these particles can be determined with short measurement times. If the pulse energies are increased further, space debris cannot only be detected but, by using laser ablation, can be slowed down to such an extent that it finally burns up in the atmosphere.
Such pulsed laser sources with high power and high pulse energy are being developed in the FN department using the thin disk laser as a basis. Particularly advantageous here is the possibility of scaling the power by enlarging the active surface: both the pulse energy per sur-face area and actually tested module – are core components for the development pulsed lasers with high average power.