DiPOLE is the first diode-pumped, solid-state laser (DPSSL) system based on the DiPOLE concept. Initially conceived as a prototype to prove
the DiPOLE concept, it has since become a useful test bed for continued research and development for the next generation systems.
Currently, DiPOLE has the following features which are of interest to future systems:
•The ability to easily generate and modify temporal pulse shapes;
•An automatic beam alignment system;
•An adaptive optic system.
The amplifier head contains four laser gain medium disks which are Ytterbium-doped Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Yb-YAG) ceramic. These disks are pumped from both sides by diode lasers and are cooled using a flow of helium gas which is cooled by liquid nitrogen.
The DiPOLE beam can be transported into a second laboratory to allow for further experiments to be carried out including:
Parameters list:
Pulse energy up to 10 J
Wavelength 1030 nm
Pulse duration 2-10 ns
Repetition rate up to 10 Hz
Output beam size 18x18 mm
Optical to optical efficiency 25.0%
