Abstract

The use of a two-cell stimulated-Brillouin-scattering (SBS) system to extend the dynamic-power range of a phase-conjugate mirror is investigated experimentally and theoretically. A pulsed, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser system is used to study the SBS generator–amplifier arrangement, and the results demonstrate an increase in the achievable efficiency and dynamic-power range of the SBS mirror compared with a single-cell system while maintaining good phase-conjugate fidelity for a near-diffraction-limited beam. A full transient numerical modeling of the system is also presented, together with steady-state calculations for comparison. The technique of generator–amplifier geometries is applicable to other forms of stimulated scattering, including stimulated photorefractive scattering.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

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