Abstract
Laser resonators containing self-focusing elements are described using the matrix formalism appropriate for Gaussian beams. The laser rods are not approximated by traditional optical elements but treated as thick materials showing a radial quadratic dependence of their refractive index. Cavities incorporating an arbitrary number of lenses, mirrors, and crystals (including rods with spherical endfaces) are described with no restriction on the value of the pump power. Stability domains and beam size in the resonator and inside the rods are calculated. A few experimental tests with Nd:YAP lasers are presented.
© 1987 Optical Society of America
Full Article | PDF ArticleMore Like This
Vittorio Magni
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 4(10) 1962-1969 (1987)
Norman Hodgson, Georg Bostanjoglo, and Horst Weber
Appl. Opt. 32(30) 5902-5917 (1993)
Matthew P. Murdough and Craig A. Denman
Appl. Opt. 35(30) 5925-5936 (1996)