Time-varying M2 in Q-switched lasers

Andrea L. Caprara; Giancarlo C. Reali

doi:10.1117/12.58958

1 June 1992 Time-varying M² in Q-switched lasers

Andrea L. Caprara, Giancarlo C. Reali

Proceedings Volume 1625, Design, Modeling, and Control of Laser Beam Optics; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58958
Event: OE/LASE '92, 1992, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Numerical simulations of the pulse build-up in a Q-switched laser reveal a considerable change in the beam spatial profile during the pulse evolution, on a nanosecond time scale. Such changes were measured experimentally, and the measured temporal evolution of the beam profile is shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical results. The time evolution of the spatial profile translates into an evolution of the beam quality parameter M²; for typical experimental conditions, in a Nd:YAG laser utilizing a variable reflectivity mirror resonator¹, M² is very close to a value of 1 at the beginning of the pulse, and increases smoothly throughout the pulse to reach a value of approximately 2 in correspondence of the pulse trailing edge.

Citation Download Citation

Andrea L. Caprara and Giancarlo C. Reali "Time-varying M² in Q-switched lasers", Proc. SPIE 1625, Design, Modeling, and Control of Laser Beam Optics, (1 June 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.58958

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available