Nd:YAG end-pumped zigzag multi-pass slab amplifier optimization: numerical and experimental study regarding the saturation effects.

A numerical modeling of Nd:YAG end-pumped zigzag multi-pass slab amplifier is developed. Spatial dependent rate equations have been solved taking into consideration the pump and laser beam saturation effects with regard to overlap correction of the signal path through gain medium. Based on our results, efficient amplifier structure with optimized output power could be designed with respect to the change in the number of signal beam-pass, doping concentration and slab length. In order to verify our modeling an experimental setup is designed.