Generation of Super-Gaussian modes in Nd:YAG lasers with a graded-phase mirror

Author

Gerber, Michael ; Graf, Thomas

Author_Institution

Inst. of Appl. Phys., Univ. of Bern, Switzerland

Volume

40

Issue

6

fYear

2004

fDate

6/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

741

Lastpage

746

Abstract

A dielectric graded-phase mirror was developed to change the intensity distribution of the fundamental mode in an Nd:YAG laser resonator to a top-hat profile. A super-Gaussian mode of the sixth order was generated by means of a graded-phase mirror with a simple ring-shaped phase step on a spherical reflector. The depth of the ring on the mirror was 90 nm. The graded-phase mirror was manufactured with an ordinary vapor deposition technique using an appropriate mask. Laser experiments with CW and repetitively pulsed diode-laser pumping were performed and compared. Slope efficiencies up to 19% were achieved. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the theory.

Keywords

laser beams; laser cavity resonators; laser mirrors; laser modes; neodymium; solid lasers; 19 percent; 90 nm; Nd:YAG lasers; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; dielectric graded-phase mirror; fundamental mode; repetitively pulsed diode laser pumping; ring-shaped phase step; spherical reflector; super-Gaussian laser beams; super-Gaussian modes generation; top-hat profile; vapor deposition technique; Chemical vapor deposition; Dielectrics; Laser modes; Laser theory; Laser transitions; Manufacturing; Mirrors; Pulsed laser deposition; Pump lasers; Ring lasers; Beam shaping; Nd:YAG laser; custom mode; graded-phase mirror; super-Gaussian mode; top-hat mode;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JQE.2004.828231

Filename

1303789