Investigation of the thermal lens effect of a NdYAG laser

A. Ettemeyer; J. Jütz; M. Spiegel; K. Dobler

doi:10.1117/12.823257

17 June 2009 Investigation of the thermal lens effect of a NdYAG laser

A. Ettemeyer, J. Jütz, M. Spiegel, K. Dobler

Proceedings Volume 7389, Optical Measurement Systems for Industrial Inspection VI; 738906 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.823257
Event: SPIE Europe Optical Metrology, 2009, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The resonator of a solid state laser is a very well aligned optical system. As the resonator may be as much as a meter or more in length and precise alignment of the optical elements is required, the whole system needs to be exceptionally stable in order to guarantee reliable function. On the other hand, the laser crystal is pumped by light from a focused laser diode with significant optical power. This energy is only partly converted into optical energy as the required laser light. Most of the pump energy is lost as heat. The heat is dissipated within the laser crystal and into the mounting system of the crystal. Due to the thermal expansion of material, the crystal and its mounting system are deformed. The deformation of the crystal will cause a so-called thermal lens effect while movement of the mounting system can lead to disalignment of the laser resonator. In this paper, we describe an experimental set-up to measure the thermal lens effect by means of digital holography. A digital holography microscope was positioned above the laser resonator. The surface of the laser crystal was observed by the microscope via a selectively reflective mirror while the crystal was being pumped and the whole laser system was operating. By changing pump current and laser power, it was possible to monitor both deformation of the crystal surface and deflection of the crystal holder. We present the results of this experiment including an estimate of the stresses and temperatures on the laser crystal induced by its thermal deformation.

Citation Download Citation

A. Ettemeyer, J. Jütz, M. Spiegel, and K. Dobler "Investigation of the thermal lens effect of a NdYAG laser", Proc. SPIE 7389, Optical Measurement Systems for Industrial Inspection VI, 738906 (17 June 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.823257

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