Lasers with super-Gaussian mirrors

Author

De Silvestri, Sandro ; Magni, Vittorio ; Svelto, Orazio ; Valentini, G.

Author_Institution

CNR, Istituto di Fisica del Politecnico, Milan, Italy

Volume

26

Issue

9

fYear

1990

fDate

9/1/1990 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1500

Lastpage

1509

Abstract

A systematic theoretical and experimental investigation of unstable resonators with variable reflectivity mirrors of a super-Gaussian profile is presented. The validity of a geometrical optics formalism for an algebraic mode calculation is discussed in comparison to the diffraction theory. A new method for the calculation of the output energy by means of a closed-form relationship that accounts for the effects of the transverse mode profile on gain saturation is presented. Various dielectric super-Gaussian mirrors have been fabricated, characterized, and tested in a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Super-Gaussian resonators can provide even higher output energies than those of traditional unstable resonators and with better beam-focusing properties

Keywords

laser accessories; laser cavity resonators; laser modes; mirrors; neodymium; optical saturation; reflectivity; solid lasers; YAG:Nd; YAl5O12:Nd; algebraic mode calculation; beam-focusing properties; dielectric laser mirrors; diffraction theory; gain saturation; geometrical optics formalism; output energy; pulsed Nd:YAG laser; super-Gaussian mirrors; transverse mode profile; unstable resonators; variable reflectivity mirrors; Dielectrics; Geometrical optics; Laser modes; Laser theory; Mirrors; Optical diffraction; Optical pulses; Optical resonators; Reflectivity; Testing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/3.102627

Filename

102627