A Diode-Laser-Pumped, Nd:YAG Laser for Gravity Wave Astronomy

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Gravity wave detection by optical interferometry requires an efficient, high power laser with low amplitude and frequency noise. Prof. Byer's group will design, build, and study a 13- watt, single-axial-mode, diode-laser-pumped Nd:YAG laser, with the power, frequency and amplitude stability and spatial mode properties necessary for the laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO). This laser will be designed with the potential to operate at 20% electrical efficiency and to scale to greater than 100 watts of optical power. They will obtain stable, single-axial-mode, unidirectional oscillation by injection locking the 13-watt oscillator with a low power (50 mW) stabilized, nonplanar ring oscillator (NPRO). The output of the 13-watt laser will then be frequency doubled with greater than 80% conversion efficiency in a monolithic resonant harmonic generator to produce 10 watts of green light with the same temporal coherence as the injecting NPRO laser. The 13- watt laser will then be applied to interferometric studies in cooperation with the scientific teams associated with the LIGO project.