Cheng Z, Seguin HJ, Nikumb SK, Seguin VA, Reshef H. Annular-coupled concave-convex stable resonator for large-volume high-quality energy extraction.
APPLIED OPTICS 1988;
27:836-842. [PMID:
20523697 DOI:
10.1364/ao.27.000836]
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Abstract
A theoretical investigation of a stable concave-convex resonator configuration, which appears suitable for single-mode high-power energy extraction from large volume gain media, is presented. The design features annular output coupling with a surprisingly uniform near-field intensity distribution. The computer-based analysis, supported by preliminary experimental results, suggests that acceptable alignment tolerances are provided along with an unusually small beam divergence. With proper design, a far-field divergence of 0.5 mrad, encompassing near 80% of the total laser energy, appears feasible. Operational data, recently obtained with this optical extraction approach, have revealed a further important practical advantage over an unstable resonator, being far less prone to mode degradation and hot spot formation on optical component misalignment.
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