Introduction to the special issue on solid-state lasers

Abstract

Solid-state lasers are versatile sources of coherent, highbrightness radiation with a diverse range of applications in science and technology, including spectroscopy, health sciences, manufacturing, communication, defense, and metrology. Recent advances in this field have focused on power scaling approaches and efficient pumping architectures, new coherent short-pulse sources, as well as the development of novel gain media based on doped glasses, ceramics, and crystals. Comprised of 10 invited and 36 contributed papers, this special issue provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent advances and future trends in cutting-edge solid-state laser technologies. The papers which have been authored by top experts of the field cover a wide range of topics including laser beam combining and other power scaling technologies, thin-disk lasers, nonlinear frequency generation schemes using solid-state lasers, mode-locked lasers, frequency combs, and Raman lasers. Solidstate lasers operating from deep ultraviolet to mid infrared, as well as new active media based on ceramic, crystal, and glass hosts are further discussed.