Title :
External design freedom for optimization of resonator originated beam shaping
Author :
Zeitner, Uwe D. ; Wyrowski, Frank ; Zellmer, Holger
Author_Institution :
Fraunhofer Inst. fur Angewandte Opt. & Feinmech., Jena, Germany
Abstract :
Modern fabrication techniques like electron beam lithography allow the use of resonator mirrors with sophisticated surface modulation. We use this flexibility to realize a resonator with a beam the intensity distribution of which is specified in the focal region. The phase in the focal region is used as a freedom to homogenize the beam in the active medium and by that to allow the satisfaction of the laser gain condition. This is possible by a decoupling of the beam propagation characteristic of the beam inside and outside of the cavity. The design concept is described and experimentally demonstrated in a Nd:YAG laser.
Keywords :
electron beam lithography; laser beams; laser cavity resonators; laser mirrors; neodymium; optical design techniques; optical fabrication; solid lasers; Nd:YAG laser; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; active medium; beam propagation characteristic; design concept; electron beam lithography; external design freedom; fabrication techniques; focal region; intensity distribution; laser gain condition; laser resonator mirrors; optimization; resonator originated beam shaping; surface modulation; Design optimization; Geometrical optics; Laser beams; Laser modes; Lenses; Mirrors; Nonlinear optics; Optical beams; Optical design; Optical resonators;
Journal_Title :
Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of
