Calculations of Eigenpolarization in Nd:YAG Laser Rods Due to Thermally Induced Birefringence

Author

Graupeter, Thomas ; Hartmann, Rainer ; Pflaum, Christoph

Author_Institution

Dept. of Comput. Sci., Univ. of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany

Volume

50

Issue

12

fYear

2014

fDate

Dec. 2014

Firstpage

1035

Lastpage

1043

Abstract

Laser crystals like Nd:YAG are widely used in laser resonators. The stress-induced birefringence of such laser crystals has a strong influence on beam quality, power, and polarization of the output laser beam. Detailed simulations using 3-D finite-element analysis and a 2-D Jones matrix analysis were performed to analyze these effects. The finite-element analysis is used to calculate stress and birefringence depending on the cut direction of the crystal and its rotation. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the electromagnetic field inside the resonators are calculated by Jones matrix analysis. The analysis includes resonators with Brewster plates. Output power and beam quality are calculated by dynamic multimode analysis. Simulation results are presented for [100]-cut, [110]-cut, and [111]-cut Nd:YAG crystals.

Keywords

birefringence; eigenvalues and eigenfunctions; finite element analysis; laser beams; laser cavity resonators; matrix algebra; neodymium; piezo-optical effects; solid lasers; thermo-optical effects; yttrium compounds; 2-D Jones matrix analysis; 3-D finite-element analysis; Brewster plates; Nd:YAG laser rods; YAG:Nd; [100]-cut Nd:YAG crystal; [110]-cut Nd:YAG crystal; [111]-cut Nd:YAG crystal; beam power; beam quality; crystal cut direction; crystal rotation; dynamic multimode analysis; eigenpolarization; eigenvalues; eigenvectors; electromagnetic field; laser crystals; laser resonators; output laser beam polarization; output power; stress-induced birefringence; thermally induced birefringence; Birefringence; Crystals; Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions; Mathematical model; Neodymium; Photoelasticity; Birefringence; Photoelasticity; Rod lasers; Thermal and stress effects; YAG lasers; photoelasticity; rod lasers; thermal and stress effects;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JQE.2014.2365618

Filename

6940206