Open AccessSimulation of the extraction of near diffraction limited Gaussian beams from side pumped core doped ceramic Nd:YAG and conventional laser rods
Author(s) -
Martin Ostermeyer,
I. Brandenburg
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.13.010145
Subject(s) - rod , optics , materials science , diffraction , gaussian beam , core (optical fiber) , beam (structure) , aperture (computer memory) , ceramic , laser , gaussian , physics , composite material , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , quantum mechanics , acoustics
The application of the recently developed core doped ceramic Nd:YAG rods has the potential to provide better beam qualities compared to conventional rods since the hard aperture of the rod's boundary can be made wider while the width of the gain region remains the same. Thus, beam truncation and consequential diffraction can be reduced. We apply a finite elements model to calculate the resulting refractive index profiles in conventional and core doped rods. Propagating a Gaussian beam through both rod geometries the impact of aberrations and diffraction is compared for different side pumped scenarios. The potential advantage of the core doped geometry is discussed.