title: Kaleidoscope modes in large aperture Porro prism resonators.
abstract: We apply a new method of modeling Porro prism resonators, using the concept of rotating loss screens, to study stable and unstable Porro prism resonator. We show that the previously observed petal--like modal output is in fact only the lowest order mode, and reveal that a variety of kaleidoscope beam modes will be produced by these resonators when the intra--cavity apertures are sufficiently large to allow higher order modes to oscillate. We also show that only stable resonators will produce these modes.
authors: CSIR National Laser Centre, PO Box 395, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. lburger1@csir.co.za
authors: Liesl
authors: L
authors: Burger
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Forbes
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D007909:Lenses; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation