Linearly polarized single-mode Nd:YAG oscillators using [100]- and [110]-cut crystals

The output power and efficiency of linearly polarized high power Nd:YAG lasers is limited by depolarization and bifocusing. Both effects degrade the beam quality and decrease the output power. In a single pass configuration, [100]- and [110]-cut crystals can be used to reduce the depolarization. Her...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptics express Vol. 19; no. 14; pp. 12992 - 12999
Main Authors Tünnermann, Henrik, Puncken, Oliver, Wessels, Peter, Frede, Maik, Neumann, Jörg, Kracht, Dietmar
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 04.07.2011
Subjects
Amplifiers, Electronic
Computer-Aided Design
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure Analysis
Lasers
Lenses
Linear Models
Oscillometry - instrumentation
Refractometry - instrumentation
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Summary:The output power and efficiency of linearly polarized high power Nd:YAG lasers is limited by depolarization and bifocusing. Both effects degrade the beam quality and decrease the output power. In a single pass configuration, [100]- and [110]-cut crystals can be used to reduce the depolarization. Here, we compare [100]-, [110]- and [111]-cut crystals in an oscillator configuration. As expected it was possible to reduce the depolarization loss by using [100]-cut crystals in our configuration, while the depolarization loss was higher for [110]-cut crystals. The thermal lens establishing in these crystals is not circular, which can degrade beam quality in high power operation.
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ISSN:1094-4087
1094-4087
DOI:10.1364/OE.19.012992