Highly efficient cesium vapor laser

An extensive development of high power lasers for military and civilian applications has resulted in several highly successful laser systems based on chemical lasers. These lasers have some undesirable features, most notably their use of dangerous chemicals and excessive size. Alternative laser systems such as solid state, fiber lasers and semiconductor lasers have not achieved the necessary powers and beam quality. In this paper we present the results of our work on optically pumped cesium vapor laser development. We demonstrated efficient cesium laser operation at wavelength 894 nm with diode laser pumping. The measured optical efficiency was more than 32% with an overall electrical to optical efficiency of 15%. With an improved cavity design and narrowband pump source we have demonstrated Cs laser with slope efficiency of 81% and overall optical efficiency of 63%. This laser can be scaled to higher powers by increasing the volume of the active medium and number of narrowband pump diode lasers.