Abstract

Analysis indicates that a transparent window with graded random surface modulation will apodize a laser beam. Following the apodizer the laser beam consists of a scattered component of mean intensity Ī_s and an apodized component of mean intensity Ī_a. The apodizer intensity transmission is $\text{exp}[-k^2{(n-1)}^2\overline{t^2}(r)]$, where $\overline{t^2}(r)$ is the window surface modulation mean-squared amplitude, k is the radiation wave number, and n is the window refractive index. Interference between the scattered and unscattered radiation produces intensity fluctuations similar to laser speckle. For high-power applications, minimization of the probability of optical damage due to intensity fluctuations requires that Ī_a/Ī_s ≳ 10².

© 1988 Optical Society of America

Theory of laser beam apodization with a graded random phase window

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Appl. Opt. 27(13) 2708-2718 (1988)

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