Polarization effects, birefringent filtering, and single-frequency operation in lasers containing a birefringent gain crystal

The effect of having a birefringent gain crystal is studied in the context of two laser systems: an intracavity frequency-doubled microchip laser and a compact single-frequency laser utilizing a birefringent filter. A model based on Jones calculus is proposed to predict the polarization and wavelength structure of the longitudinal modes and is found to be consistent with experimental measurements. The optimization of these systems is discussed, and the importance of the birefringences in the cavity and cavity length is indicated.

[1]  B. Sinclair,et al.  Pump power induced cavity stability in lithium neodymium tetraphosphate (LNP) microchip lasers , 1992 .

[2]  François Sanchez,et al.  Transverse modes in microchip lasers , 1996 .

[3]  G. J. Dixon.  OEM markets open to diode-based visible lasers , 1997 .

[4]  B. Sinclair.  Frequency-doubled microchip lasers , 1999 .

[5]  Stefano Longhi,et al.  Theory of transverse modes in end-pumped microchip lasers , 1994 .

[6]  G. Huber,et al.  Intracavity frequency doubling of a continuous-wave, diode-laser-pumped neodymium lanthanum scandium borate laser. , 1994, Optics letters.

[7]  William J. Firth,et al.  Transverse modes of microchip solid state lasers , 1992 .

[8]  J. Howard,et al.  Optical electronics. , 1967, Applied optics.

[9]  Aaas News,et al.  Book Reviews , 1893, Buffalo Medical and Surgical Journal.

[10]  J. Zayhowski,et al.  The effects of spatial hole burning and energy diffusion on the single-mode operation of standing-wave lasers , 1990 .

[11]  R. Conroy,et al.  Blue microchip laser fabricated from Nd:YAG and KNbO(3). , 1996, Optics letters.

[12]  Bruce D. Sinclair,et al.  A laser diode array pumped, Nd: YVO4/KTP, composite material microchip laser , 1994 .

[13]  Tso Yee Fan,et al.  Single-axial mode, intracavity doubled Nd:YAG laser , 1991 .

[14]  Bruce D. Sinclair,et al.  Guiding effects in Nd:YVO/sub 4/ microchip lasers operating well above threshold , 1999 .

[15]  Donald L. Sipes,et al.  Intracavity doubling of CW diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers with KTP , 1992 .

[16]  S. Wang,et al.  Theoretical and experimental studies of single-mode operation in diode pumped Nd:YVO4/KTP green laser: influence of KTP length , 1998 .

[17]  Thomas M. Baer,et al.  Large-amplitude fluctuations due to longitudinal mode coupling in diode-pumped intracavity-doubled Nd:YAG lasers , 1986 .

[18]  S. Helmfrid,et al.  Stable single-mode operation of intracavity-doubled diode-pumped Nd:YVO 4 lasers: theoretical study , 1994 .

[19]  R. Conroy,et al.  Microchip Nd:vanadate lasers at 1342 and 671nm. , 1997, Optics letters.

[20]  D. Hanna,et al.  Self-suppression of axial mode hopping by intracavity second-harmonic generation. , 1997, Optics letters.