Semianalytical thermal analysis of the heat capacity of YAG laser rods.

Based on the theory of semianalytical thermal analysis, we investigate the heat capacity of Nd:YAG laser rods for pumping and cooling. A general expression for the temperature field within Nd:YAG laser rod crystals is obtained for the pumping stage and the relation of the maximum temperature rise with pumping time. We also achieve an expression for the temperature field for the cooling stage and the relation of the maximum temperature rise with cooling time. These results show that, when using the output power of 300 W LD pumped Nd:YAG laser rod crystals for 5 s, the maximum temperature rise in the center of the pump face is 154.79 degrees C. After we stop the pumping for 30 s, the maximum temperature rise drops to 0.8%. These results are in agreement with those reported by others. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the optimized design of a LD end-pumped heat capacity laser.