High-Speed Water-Cooled Rotary Solid-State Laser With Reduced Thermal Effects

This study introduces a high-speed water-cooled rotary laser with an innovative cooling mechanism. Thermal analysis confirms the system’s exceptional heat dissipation capabilities. Compared to traditional rotary disk lasers, this laser fully utilizes high thermal conductivity efficiency of water cooling and low absorption coefficient of the gain medium to reduce thermal stress. We introduce a novel “quasi-rotation” mechanism for the water-cooled rotary laser to resolve the issue of water pipe entanglement. To achieve this, we propose an eccentric rotation design that utilizes a single motor to deliver uniform, high-speed rotation with exceptional stability. Initial experiments demonstrate a maximum output power of 76.5 W, a slope efficiency of 58.2%, and a power conversion efficiency of 52.4%. Output power is primarily limited by the available pump power in our lab. We also analyze the impact of water temperature and rotation speed on output power. Both continuous and pulsed pumping experiments further validate the system’s robust thermal management. Overall, our results highlight the significant potential of “quasi-rotating” water-cooled laser technology to enhance the power output of solid-state lasers.