A rigorous analysis of the unstable Bessel resonator with convex output coupler is presented. The Huygens-Fresnel self-consistency equation is solved to extract the first eigenmodes and eigenvalues of the cavity, taking into account the finite apertures of the mirrors. Attention was directed to the dependence of the output transverse profiles; the losses; and the modal-frequency changes on the curvature of the output coupler, the cavity length, and the angle of the axicon. Our analysis revealed that while the stable Bessel resonator retains a Gaussian radial modulation on the Bessel rings, the unstable configuration exhibits a more uniform amplitude modulation that produces output profiles more similar to ideal Bessel beams. The unstable cavity also possesses higher-mode discrimination in favor of the fundamental mode than does the stable configuration.

© 2005 Optical Society of America

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Citation lists with outbound citation links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an OSA member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

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

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

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

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Log in to access OSA Member Subscription

Related Journal Articles

• Extraction of High-Quality Beams from Narrow Annular Laser Sources (AO)
• Simplified Intracavity Phase Plates for Increasing Laser-Mode Discrimination (AO)
• Bessel–Gauss resonator with spherical output mirror: geometrical- and wave-optics analysis (JOSAA)
• Two regions of mode selection in resonators with biprismlike elements (AO)
• Laser-mode selection by a combination of biprism-like reflectors with narrow amplitude masks (AO)

Related Conference Papers

• Novel Stable Resonator Concept for Efficient Axisymmetric Output from Lasers with a Planar Gain Medium
• Nonlinear Enhancement of Resonance Bandwidth and Back Reflection in Microspheres
• Incoherent smoothed 20 mJ beam delivered by diode pump laser oscillator
• Incoherent smoothed 20 mJ beam delivered by diode pump laser oscillator
• A 500W High Brightness Diode end pumped