title: Self-compensating amplifier design for cw and Q-switched high-power Nd:YAG lasers.
abstract: We experimentally demonstrate a self-adaptive compensation of the pump power dependent thermal lens in an Nd:YAG laser through a thin layer of a medium with a negative temperature dependence of the refractive index. The layer is thermally coupled to the laser rod and leads to a strikingly improved beam quality over a large stability range. The scheme allows for a scaling to high powers as well as pulsed-mode operation.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roth
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Feurer
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Graf