100 W-class solar pumped laser for sustainable magnesium-hydrogen energy cycle

TLDR

The solar laser system is intended as a cost‑efficient power‑plant component in a magnesium‑hydrogen energy cycle. A 2 m × 2 m Fresnel lens on a two‑axis sun‑tracker focuses sunlight onto a Cr:Nd:YAG ceramic rod within the laser cavity. The system delivers 80 W output with 7–9% slope efficiency, 20 W/m² performance on the lens, and a 4.3% net solar‑to‑laser conversion efficiency.

Abstract

A solar pumped laser system with 7%–9% slope efficiencies has been developed. A Fresnel lens (2×2 m, f=2000 mm) is mounted on a two-axis sun tracker platform and focuses solar radiation toward laser cavity, which embraces Cr:Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet ceramic rod. The maximum emitted laser power is 80 W corresponding to maximum total area performance of 20 W/m2 for the Fresnel lens area. This solar laser system would be used as a section of power plant in a magnesium energy cycle as a cost-efficient solar energy converter. Using direct solar radiation into laser, 4.3% net conversion efficiency has been achieved.