Selective excitation of higher-order modes in diode-pumped solid-state laser resonators

In this paper we experimentally demonstrate the intra-cavity generation of selected higher-order Laguerre-Gaussian modes using a simple absorbing ring. First, we show selection of modes of variable radial order, from zero to five, with zero azimuthal order. Second, we select super-positions of azimuthal modes of zero radial order but high azimuthal index, up to eleven. In all cases we demonstrate high mode purity and a gain volume proportional to the order of the mode. Our results suggest a possible route to high-brightness diode-pumped solid-state laser sources.

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