HiLASE cryogenically-cooled diode-pumped laser prototype for inertial fusion energy

We present the design parameters of a diode-pumped 100J-class multi-slab Yb:YAG laser at 10 Hz scalable to the kJ regime. Results of detailed energetics and thermo-optical modeling confirm the viability of cryogenic helium-gas cooling approach to drastically reduce thermally-induced distortions in the laser slabs. In addition, a comparison of spectral measurements from laser-diode stacks and Yb:YAG crystals validates the feasibility of highly efficient diode-pumped solid-state lasers at cryogenic temperatures.