Calculation of thermal-gradient-induced stress birefringence in slab Lasers-II

Author

Chen, Ying ; Chen, Bin ; Patel, Manoj K R ; Kar, Aravinda ; Bass, Michael

Author_Institution

Center for Res. & Educ. in Opt. & Lasers, Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

Volume

40

Issue

7

fYear

2004

fDate

7/1/2004 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

917

Lastpage

928

Abstract

In an earlier article, we clarified conceptual and numerical difficulties in applying previously published methods for calculating thermal-gradient-induced stress birefringence to crystalline laser media. In this paper, we present calculations of the stress-induced birefringence and depolarization loss in Yb:YAG slab lasers for both straight-through and zigzag propagation. The alignment of the crystal´s axes with respect to the slab dimensions is shown to significantly determine the depolarization loss. In a realistic slab laser, the depolarization loss and its dependence on axis orientation is shown to vary from place to place within the gain medium due to changes in the local thermal gradient.

Keywords

mechanical birefringence; optical losses; solid lasers; thermal stresses; thermo-optical effects; ytterbium; Yb:YAG slab lasers; axis orientation; crystal axis alignment; crystalline laser media; depolarization loss; local thermal gradient; straight-through propagation; stress-induced birefringence; thermal-gradient-induced stress birefringence; zigzag propagation; Birefringence; Crystallization; Optical propagation; Optical pumping; Optical refraction; Optical variables control; Slabs; Tensile stress; Thermal stresses; Water heating; Birefringence; YAG lasers; slab lasers; thermal and stress effects;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Quantum Electronics, IEEE Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9197

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JQE.2004.830191

Filename

1308615