Applications of non-uniform Pockels cells to high power laser amplifiers

Fast KD*P Pockels cells may be designed such that the electric field distribution within the crystal is non-uniform [1]. In this case, amplitude transmission of the cell becomes a function of transverse spatial coordinates. We present design parameters, predicted performance curves, and certain experimental results for circular aperture KD*P cells, based on specialized, detailed control of V(x,y,t). These cells are intended to serve the following functions: 1. Beam profiling (apodization) 2. Temporal pulse shaping 3. Whole-beam self-focusing compensation. Each of these functions has direct application to the performance of large, high power Nd:glass laser amplifiers, which are currently under intensive development for laser fusion.