Open AccessLinearly polarized single-mode Nd:YAG oscillators using [100]- and [110]-cut crystals
Author(s) -
Henrik Tünnermann,
O. Puncken,
P. Weßels,
M. Frede,
Jörg Neumann,
Dietmar Kracht
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.012992
Subject(s) - optics , depolarization , materials science , laser , beam (structure) , power (physics) , optoelectronics , physics , medicine , quantum mechanics , endocrinology
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.