High-efficiency solar-pumped lasers
Solar-pumped lasers are perceived as an innovative convergence of renewable energy and laser technology. Having a long-standing history, they have been the focus of continuous research and development by various teams worldwide since the 1960s. This sustained effort has led to the recognition of sol...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Advances in Physics: X |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23746149.2025.2531056 |
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| Summary: | Solar-pumped lasers are perceived as an innovative convergence of renewable energy and laser technology. Having a long-standing history, they have been the focus of continuous research and development by various teams worldwide since the 1960s. This sustained effort has led to the recognition of solar-pumped lasers as a promising technology for the future, capable of delivering laser radiation in a cost-effective and carbon-free way, and potentially supplanting high-power lasers that rely on electricity in a multitude of applications. This paper delves into several key topics related to this field. It discusses potential applications both on Earth and in space, and traces historical progress of solid-state solar-pumped lasers – particularly those employing Nd:YAG and Ce:Nd:YAG active media, which have been pivotal in improving laser efficiency in both multimode and TEM00-mode operations. The properties of these media are also examined in detail. Furthermore, the significance of multi-thin-rod laser systems is highlighted, as they can help produce multiple high-quality laser beams, mitigate thermal load issues typically associated with solid-state lasers and compensate for solar tracking errors. Not less importantly, this paper also outlines methodologies for analyzing solar laser output power, both theoretically and numerically via simulation tools (Zemax® and LASCAD™ software). |
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| ISSN: | 2374-6149 |