Reduction of the time-to-full-brightness in solid-state lasers using intra-cavity adaptive optics.
Several adaptive-optics techniques, based on the active modification of the optical properties of the laser cavity, were used to significantly reduce the time-to-full-brightness of solid-state lasers. Resonator re-configuration was achieved using a mechanical translation stage and both multi- and single-element deformable bimorph mirrors. Using these techniques the effects of thermally induced distortion in Nd:YLF and Nd:YAG lasers can be minimized and the warm-up time reduced by a factor of 3-6.
Lubeigt
Walter
W
Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NW, UK. walter.lubeigt@strath.ac.uk
Griffith
Mike
M
Laycock
Leslie
L
Burns
David
D
D004867:Equipment Design; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D013696:Temperature