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Beam parameters, mode structure and diffraction losses of slab lasers with unstable resonators

  • Determination of Beam Quality and Mode Structure
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Abstract

The properties of unstable resonators in on-axis and off-axis geometry were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Diffraction loss, mode structure, beam quality and misalignment sensitivity were measured in single-shot operation with a gas-cooled Nd: YAG slab laser (4×12×100 mm3) and compared with theoretical results obtained by solving the Fresnel integral equation numerically. The excellent agreement allowed detailed resonator optimization. Furthermore, the resonator performance in high-power operation was investigated with two water-cooled Nd: YAG slab lasers (6×25×163 mm3 and 7×26×191 mm3) capable of 670 W of output power. Beam quality near the diffraction limit and a maximum output power of 475 W was achieved with an on-axis unstable resonator with variable-reflectivity mirror.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Festkörper-Laser-Institut Berlin GmbH, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, D-1000, Berlin 12, Germany

    N. Hodgson

  2. Optisches Institut, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 135, D-1000, Berlin 12, Germany

    T. Haase

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  1. N. Hodgson
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  2. T. Haase
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Hodgson, N., Haase, T. Beam parameters, mode structure and diffraction losses of slab lasers with unstable resonators. Opt Quant Electron 24, S903–S926 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588595

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01588595

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