From Multi Kw Continuous Wave to Multi Mw Femtosecond Pulses: Recent Developments Exploiting Disk Laser Technology

Disk lasers combine high efficiency, excellent beam quality, high average and/or peak power with moderate cost and high reliability at multiple wavelengths, ranging from the infrared over the green to the ultraviolet.The demonstrated infrared average powers range from tens of kW in CW operation over >1 kW in ns pulses to >100 W in ps pulses and > 70 W in fs pulses.Wavelength conversion for nearly all modes of operation, e. g. 700 W@515nm in ns pulses, enlarges the fields of applications, making the disk technology today's most versatile laser platform.