title: Three-dimensional computer model for simulating realistic solid-state lasers.
abstract: We developed an accurate and fast three-dimensional computer model for simulating realistic solid-state laser systems. An iteration of the beam propagation calculation was developed to account for the counterpropagation of the laser beams in the saturated gain medium and eventually obtain the converged solution for the output beam. An analytic method was devised to account for the curved cavity mirror and the surface deformation of the gain medium induced by the temperature gradient due to pump absorption. The temperature gradient induced thermal lensing and stress birefringence is also properly included in the model calculation. This model has been validated and shown to be very accurate and efficient for modeling three-dimensional laser systems in a personal computer.
authors: College of Optics and Photonics, CREOL and Florida Photonics Center of Excellence, University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816, USA. hshu@creol.ucf.edu
authors: Hong
authors: H
authors: Shu
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Bass