title: Real-time measurement of transverse-mode-mixing effects in a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.
abstract: We describe a novel apparatus for the real-time characterization of transverse-mode-mixing effects by monitoring the fluctuations of the M(2) factor defined by Siegman [Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng. 1224, 2 (1990)]. A comparison between the results provided by our approach and those obtained by the use of a standard measurement apparatus has shown a satisfactory agreement within the experimental uncertainty.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Noce
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeni