Title :
Numerical simulation and analytical description of thermally induced birefringence in laser rods
Author :
Schmid, M. ; Weber, R. ; Graf, Thomas ; Roos, M. ; Weber, Heinz P.
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Appl. Phys., Bern Univ., Switzerland
fDate :
5/1/2000 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
The results of numerical simulations based on finite-element methods for thermally induced birefringence in Nd:YAG crystal rods are compared with measurements and analytical solutions. A novel analytical solution for inhomogeneous pumping is presented. It is shown that the behavior of thermally induced birefringence is very sensitive to the pump geometry.
Keywords :
birefringence; finite element analysis; laser beams; laser theory; neodymium; optical pumping; solid lasers; thermo-optical effects; Nd:YAG crystal rods; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; analytical description; analytical solutions; finite-element methods; inhomogeneous pumping; laser rods; measurements; numerical simulation; numerical simulations; pump geometry; thermally induced birefringence; Birefringence; Geometrical optics; Laser beam cutting; Laser beams; Laser excitation; Numerical simulation; Polarization; Pump lasers; Thermal lensing; Thermal stresses;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
