Microchip-laser polarization control by destructive-interference resonant-grating mirror.
An output coupler comprising a resonant grating submirror monolithically associated with a standard multilayer submirror polarizes the emission of a Nd:YAG microchip laser linearly over its full emission bandwidth by intra-mirror destructive interference for the undesired polarization. A polarization extinction ratio of more than 25 dB is obtained up to 6.1microJ pulse energy. This passively Q-switched laser performance is almost identical to that of a gratingless non-polarized microchip laser. The design and fabrication of the resonant grating mirror are described.
Pigeon
F
F
Pommier
J C
JC
Reynaud
S
S
Parriaux
O
O
Abdou Ahmed
M
M
Tonchev
S
S
Landru
N
N
Fève
J P
JP