Laser and Thermo-Optical Characterization of Nd:YAG Ceramics

The ´wet´ technology was implemented for processing of Nd: YAG ceramics. The samples of disk, rod, slab shapes with 1%-2%Nd dopant were fabricated and tested. Several method of optical characterization were applied. Near 80% transmission and scattering losses <; 0.2 cm^-1 were demonstrated. The laser action with 34% slope efficiency was obtained for the best case. To characterize the spatial inhomogeneities of output parameters "half-microchip configuration" with output coupler formed by uncoated output facet of plane parallel ceramic sample was implemented. Thermally induced aberrations and birefringence observed in Nd:YAG ceramic of disk samples under high heat load were examined and compared with numerical models.