100W Green Laser as a Photoinjector Drive Laser

The efficiency of GaAs photocathode degrades over time. In order to maintain constant photoemission from the GaAs photoemission guns used in nuclear physics research, the output power in the laser used in the photoinjector has to be increased. A 100-W green laser could provide uninterrupted photoemission for up to four days. Therefore, this project will develop a frequency doubled Nd:YLF solid state laser that would produce 30-50 ps pulse trains at a GHz repetition rate. This laser would deliver 100-W of green light using a patented Multi-Pass Slab (MPS) technology and a simple technique of generating short pulses instead of traditional mode-locking. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee The green laser would fulfill an important near term need as a source used in photoinjector applications for linear accelerators and free electron lasers. Advances in fundamental accelerator technology also should find use in applications such as biochemistry, condensed matter, materials science and diagnostic medicine