The near-concentric unstable resonator (NCUR) - an improved resonator design for high power solid state lasers

Abstract A novel concept of an unstable resonator, the near-concentric unstable resonator (NCUR), is introduced; its properties include a much lower sensitivity to thermal lensing as compared to other unstable resonator schemes, Experiments were performed with a pulsed Nd:YAG rod laser capable of 550 W of maximum output power with short flat-flat resonators. A maximum output power of 420 W and beam parameter products below 3 mm mrad were obtained with a symmetrical NCUR with a variable reflectivity mirror.

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