Spatially two-dimensional resolved characterisation of Nd:YAG boule slices

Summary form only given. The optical quality of laser active crystals is of fundamental importance for the development of efficient and reliable laser systems. Up to now the correlation between the optical properties of the laser crystal and the laser performance has not been investigated in detail. To examine the relation between the optical properties and the laser performance we measured, with high spatial resolution and high precision, optical properties such as doping concentration, optical homogeneity and stress induced birefringence. The local values of these parameters are compared with the corresponding laser performance in respect to threshold and slope efficiency. The crystal investigated was Nd:YAG.