Efficient ASE Management in Disk Laser Amplifiers With Variable Absorbing Clads

We illustrate the benefits of multilayer cladding for efficient amplified spontaneous emission control and safe heat removal in high-energy class solid-state lasers. The radial thermal gradients in disk amplifiers can vanish when the absorption values in the multilayer cladding are properly designed, allowing gradual heat absorption outside the gain medium. Wavefront deformation and thermal stress birefringence were evaluated and an innovative approach based on multilayer cladding is proposed.