TY - JOUR
T1 - Characterizing output beams for lasers that use high-magnification unstable resonators
AU - Saghafi, Saiedeh
AU - Withford, Michael J.
AU - Piper, James A.
N1 - This paper was published in Journal of the Optical Society of America A : optics, image science, and vision and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: [http://www.opticsinfobase.org/abstract.cfm?URI=JOSAA-18-7-1634]. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Laser beams generated from high-magnification on-axis unstable resonators by use of hard-edged optics typically have a doughnut-shaped distribution in the near field (i.e., a flat-top profile with a hole in the middle for an axially coupled beam). We derive analytical expressions describing this distribution by using the flattened Gaussian beams concept. The superposition of two flattened Gaussian beams whose flatness and steepness of edges are controlled by defined parameters (i.e., the beam width and the order) is used to analyze the output beam intensity along the propagation axis. Finally, experimental measurements of beam propagation from a copper-vapor laser fitted with a high-magnification unstable resonator show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.
AB - Laser beams generated from high-magnification on-axis unstable resonators by use of hard-edged optics typically have a doughnut-shaped distribution in the near field (i.e., a flat-top profile with a hole in the middle for an axially coupled beam). We derive analytical expressions describing this distribution by using the flattened Gaussian beams concept. The superposition of two flattened Gaussian beams whose flatness and steepness of edges are controlled by defined parameters (i.e., the beam width and the order) is used to analyze the output beam intensity along the propagation axis. Finally, experimental measurements of beam propagation from a copper-vapor laser fitted with a high-magnification unstable resonator show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0000769718&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1364/JOSAA.18.001634
DO - 10.1364/JOSAA.18.001634
M3 - Article
C2 - 11444555
AN - SCOPUS:0000769718
SN - 1084-7529
VL - 18
SP - 1634
EP - 1643
JO - Journal of the Optical Society of America A: Optics and Image Science, and Vision
JF - Journal of the Optical Society of America A: Optics and Image Science, and Vision
IS - 7
ER -