Mode-volume and pump-power limitations in injection-locked TEM{sub 00} Nd:YAG rod lasers

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Applied Optics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.35.005925· OSTI ID:399750

Murdough, M P; Denman, C A ^[1]

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1. Phillips Laboratory, Laser Systems Branch, 3550 Aberdeen S.E., Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico 87117-5776 (United States)

Stress-induced birefringence in cw-pumped Nd:YAG rods create stability limitations on the TEM{sub 00} polarized mode of a resonant cavity. We present and verify experimentally a thermo-optical model describing a ring cavity containing a birefringent cw-pumped Nd:YAG rod. We use the model, along with experimental evidence, to show that a fundamental TEM{sub 00} mode size and pump-power limitation exists for any cw-pumped Nd:YAG laser, implying a maximum allowable TEM{sub 00} output. We show that the largest TEM{sub 00} mode radius that can be supported in the rod is approximately 1.1 mm and is independent of the physical size of the rod. {copyright} {ital 1996 Optical Society of America.}

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 399750
• Journal Information: Applied Optics, Journal Name: Applied Optics Journal Issue: 30 Vol. 35; ISSN APOPAI; ISSN 0003-6935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
BIREFRINGENCE
DESIGN
DROPLETS
ELASTIC SCATTERING
LIGHT SCATTERING
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
NEODYMIUM LASERS
POWER RANGE 10-100 W
RAMAN EFFECT
RING LASERS
STABILITY
THERMAL STRESSES