Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Thermal Distortion of Diffraction-Limited Optical Elements

Not Accessible

Your library or personal account may give you access

Abstract

Recent developments of laser materials have advanced the state of the art to a point where the optical quality of many of these materials is approaching the diffraction limit. Using such components in a laser does not necessarily guarantee the generation of diffraction-limited laser beams. One of the severe problems is thermal distortion introduced in the optical cavity by the flash lamps. Ruby and glass lasers require a minimum of 0.6 J of heat deposition per joule of population inversion. Typical figures are 4–6 J per joule of population inversion.1 Nonuniformities in the deposition of this heat cause optical distortions which virtually preclude diffraction-limited laser operation even if the materials themselves are of diffraction-limited optical quality. This paper will investigate these thermal effects in detail, and the relative sensitivity of a variety of materials to nonuniform energy depositions will be discussed. Water close to its point of maximum density and a certain special type of glass known as Pockels glass will be shown to have properties of particular interest for use in diffraction-limited lasers.

© 1966 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Dynamic Optical Path Distortions in Laser Rods

S. D. Sims, A. Stein, and C. Roth
Appl. Opt. 5(4) 621-626 (1966)

On the Preparation and Properties of an Optically Isotropic Polymer

David L. Stockman and Raymond A. Shirk
Appl. Opt. 5(5) 863-867 (1966)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (1)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Tables (2)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article tables are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Equations (24)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Equations are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved