Effect of continuous excitation on properties of YAG:Nd3/+/ crystal laser rods
Abstract
Formulas are given for calculating thermal gradients, degree of induced birefringence, and focal length of the 'thermal lens' of a continuously excited YAG:Nd3(+) laser rod. For specific laser cavity dimensions and cooling conditions of the rod and for a given degree of excitation, the amount of heat generated internally within the rod was calculated along with the variation of the temperature in a cross section of the rod, the components of the internal stresses, and the birefringence. The formulas predict axially symmetric distribution of variations of temperature, elastic stresses, and changes of refractive index, but in a real rod the symmetry will be destroyed by inhomogeneities of the crystal. This is demonstrated by examples of interference fringe distributions traced with the aid of interference of He-Ne laser radiation at the ends of a YAG:Nd3(+) rod.
- Publication:
-
Jemna Mechanika Optika
- Pub Date:
- July 1976
- Bibcode:
- 1976JMeOp..21..194S
- Keywords:
-
- Continuous Wave Lasers;
- Laser Materials;
- Neodymium Lasers;
- Yag Lasers;
- Birefringence;
- Laser Cavities;
- Liquid Cooling;
- Temperature Distribution;
- Thermal Stresses;
- Lasers and Masers