Unidirectional operation in a dual-configuration resonator with three Nd:YVO/sub 4/ rods

Author

Graf, Th. ; Trobs, M. ; Balmer, J.E. ; Weber, H.P.

Author_Institution

Inst. of Appl. Phys., Univ. of Berne, Switzerland

fYear

2000

fDate

10-15 Sept. 2000

Abstract

Summary form only given. The novel resonator features efficient totally polarised fundamental-mode output and unidirectional operation in a compact and scaleable architecture. The anisotropy of the laser crystals enforces unidirectional operation and completely avoids thermally induced depolarisation. The resonator architecture is shown and is an advanced version of the original variable-configuration resonator (VCR). We observed and explain that the original resonator supports unexpected modes with circular polarisation at the linear polariser. Due to this the output of the VCR with Nd:YAG rods was completely un-polarised. The improvement was now achieved by replacing the quarter-wave plates (QP) by Faraday rotators (FR) allowing for the use of birefringent crystals.

Keywords

Faraday effect; Q-switching; laser accessories; laser beams; laser cavity resonators; laser modes; magneto-optical devices; neodymium; optical elements; optical polarisers; solid lasers; yttrium compounds; Faraday rotators; Nd:YAG rods; Nd:YVO/sub 4/ rods; YVO/sub 4/:Nd; anisotropy; birefringent crystals; circular polarisation; compact architecture; dual-configuration resonator; efficient totally polarised fundamental-mode output; laser crystals; linear polariser; modes; quarter-wave plates; resonator; resonator architecture; scaleable architecture; thermally induced depolarisation; unidirectional operation; variable-configuration resonator; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Birefringence; Crystals; Laser modes; Optical retarders; Polarization; Quadratic programming; Video recording;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe, 2000. Conference Digest. 2000 Conference on

Conference_Location

Nice

Print_ISBN

0-7803-6319-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CLEOE.2000.910219

Filename

910219