Dynamic multimode analysis of Q-switched solid state laser cavities

doi:10.1364/OE.17.017303

Dynamic multimode analysis of Q-switched solid state laser cavities

M. Wohlmuth, C. Pflaum, K. Altmann, M. Paster, and C. Hahn »View Author Affiliations

Optics Express, Vol. 17, Issue 20, pp. 17303-17316 (2009)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.17.017303

View Full Text Article

Enhanced HTML Acrobat PDF (579 KB)

Journal Search
Article Lookup

Article Tools

Citations

Alert me when this article is cited
Export Citation/Save

Abstract
Article Info
References (23)
Cited By
Figures (12)
Multimedia (4)
Metrics
Related Content

Abstract

We derive a new model and simulation technique called “Dynamic Multimode Analysis (DMA)” to simulate the 3-dimensional dynamic behavior of a laser. A Gaussian mode analysis is used to obtain resonator eigenmodes taking into account thermal aberrations. These modes are coupled by a set of rate equations to describe the dynamic behavior of the individual modes for cw and Q-switched lasers. Our approach analyzes mode competition and provides a detailed description of the laser beam in terms of output power, beam quality factor M², and pulse shape. Comparison of experimental data with our simulation results provides new insight into the effect of mode competition and the operation of Q-switched lasers.

OCIS Codes
(140.3410) Lasers and laser optics : Laser resonators
(140.3430) Lasers and laser optics : Laser theory
(140.3540) Lasers and laser optics : Lasers, Q-switched
(350.6830) Other areas of optics : Thermal lensing
(140.3295) Lasers and laser optics : Laser beam characterization

ToC Category:
Lasers and Laser Optics

History
Original Manuscript: July 20, 2009
Revised Manuscript: August 27, 2009
Manuscript Accepted: September 6, 2009
Published: September 14, 2009

Citation
M. Wohlmuth, C. Pflaum, K. Altmann, M. Paster, and C. Hahn, "Dynamic multimode analysis of Q-switched solid state laser cavities," Opt. Express 17, 17303-17316 (2009)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/oe/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-17-20-17303

Sort: Author | Year | Journal | Reset

References

P. A. Bélanger, “Beam propagation and the ABCD ray matrices,” Opt. Lett. 16(4), 196–198 (1991). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
A. E. Siegman, Lasers, (University Science Books, Mill Valley, 1986).
O. Svelto, Principles of lasers (Springer, New York, 1998).
A. G. Fox and T. Li, “Resonant modes in a maser interferometer,” Bell Syst. Tech. J. 40, 453–458 (1961).
X. Zhang, S. Zhao, Q. Wang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Modeling of diode-pumped actively Q-switched lasers,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(12), 1912–1918 (1999). [CrossRef]
O. A. Louchev, Y. Urata, and S. Wada, “Numerical simulation and optimization of Q-switched 2 mum Tm,Ho:YLF laser,” Opt. Express 15(7), 3940–3947 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
G. Li, S. Zhao, H. Zhao, K. Yang, and S. Ding, “Rate equations and solutions of a laser-diode end-pumped passively Q-switched intracavity doubling laser by taking into account intracavity laser spatial distribution,” Opt. Commun. 234(1-6), 321–328 (2004). [CrossRef]
K. Altmann, C. Pflaum, and D. Seider, “Three-dimensional finite element computation of laser cavity eigenmodes [corrected],” Appl. Opt. 43(9), 1892–1901 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
B. Heubeck, C. Pflaum, and G. Steinle, “New finite elements for large-scale simulation of optical Waves,” SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 31(2), 1063–1081 (2009). [CrossRef]
B. Heubeck and C. Pflaum, “Numerical simulation of multiple modes in solid state lasers,” Proc. SPIE 6190, 61900X (2006). [CrossRef]
LAS-CAD GmbH Munich, Germany, http://www.las-cad.com/ .
R. Paschotta, “Beam quality deterioration of lasers caused by intracavity beam distortions,” Opt. Express 14(13), 6069–6074 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
W. Koechner, Solid-state laser engineering, (Springer, Berlin, 2006).
T. Y. Fan, “Heat generation in Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(6), 1457–1459 (1993). [CrossRef]
Q. Zhang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Degeneration effects in laser cavities,” Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 6(3), 293–298 (1999). [CrossRef]
S. Wang, X. Wang, T. Riesbeck, and H. J. Eichler, “Thermal lensing effects in pulsed end pumped Nd lasers at 940 nm,” Proc. SPIE 7194, 71940J (2009). [CrossRef]
R. J. LeVeque, Finite volume methods for hyperbolic problems (Cambridge Texts in Applied Mathematics, 2007).
E. Hairer, and G. Wanner, Solving ordinary differential Eqs. (2): Stiff and differential-algebraic problems, (Springer, Berlin, 1996).
A. E. Siegman and S. W. Townsend, “Output beam propagation and beam quality from a multimode stable-cavity laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(4), 1212–1217 (1993). [CrossRef]
International Organization for Standardization EN ISO 11146:2000 and EN ISO 11146:1999,” Laser and laser-related equipment. Test methods for laser beam parameters. Beam width, divergence angle and beam propagation factor,” (ISO, Geneva, 2000).
F. Träger, Springer Handbook of Lasers and Optics (Springer, Berlin, 2007), Chap. 11.2.
J. J. Degnan, “Theory of the Optimally Coupled Q-Switched Laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 25(2), 214–220 (1989). [CrossRef]
R. B. Kay and D. Poulios, “Q-Switched Rate Equations for Diode Side-Pumped Slab and Zigzag Slab Lasers Including Gaussian Beam Shapes,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 41(10), 1278–1284 (2005). [CrossRef]

Appl. Opt.

K. Altmann, C. Pflaum, and D. Seider, “Three-dimensional finite element computation of laser cavity eigenmodes [corrected],” Appl. Opt. 43(9), 1892–1901 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Bell Syst. Tech. J.

A. G. Fox and T. Li, “Resonant modes in a maser interferometer,” Bell Syst. Tech. J. 40, 453–458 (1961).

Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys.

Q. Zhang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Degeneration effects in laser cavities,” Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 6(3), 293–298 (1999). [CrossRef]

IEEE J. Quantum Electron.

T. Y. Fan, “Heat generation in Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(6), 1457–1459 (1993). [CrossRef]
X. Zhang, S. Zhao, Q. Wang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Modeling of diode-pumped actively Q-switched lasers,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(12), 1912–1918 (1999). [CrossRef]
A. E. Siegman and S. W. Townsend, “Output beam propagation and beam quality from a multimode stable-cavity laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(4), 1212–1217 (1993). [CrossRef]
J. J. Degnan, “Theory of the Optimally Coupled Q-Switched Laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 25(2), 214–220 (1989). [CrossRef]
R. B. Kay and D. Poulios, “Q-Switched Rate Equations for Diode Side-Pumped Slab and Zigzag Slab Lasers Including Gaussian Beam Shapes,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 41(10), 1278–1284 (2005). [CrossRef]

Opt. Commun.

G. Li, S. Zhao, H. Zhao, K. Yang, and S. Ding, “Rate equations and solutions of a laser-diode end-pumped passively Q-switched intracavity doubling laser by taking into account intracavity laser spatial distribution,” Opt. Commun. 234(1-6), 321–328 (2004). [CrossRef]

Opt. Express

Opt. Lett.

P. A. Bélanger, “Beam propagation and the ABCD ray matrices,” Opt. Lett. 16(4), 196–198 (1991). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Proc. SPIE

B. Heubeck and C. Pflaum, “Numerical simulation of multiple modes in solid state lasers,” Proc. SPIE 6190, 61900X (2006). [CrossRef]
S. Wang, X. Wang, T. Riesbeck, and H. J. Eichler, “Thermal lensing effects in pulsed end pumped Nd lasers at 940 nm,” Proc. SPIE 7194, 71940J (2009). [CrossRef]

SIAM J. Sci. Comput.

B. Heubeck, C. Pflaum, and G. Steinle, “New finite elements for large-scale simulation of optical Waves,” SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 31(2), 1063–1081 (2009). [CrossRef]

Other

LAS-CAD GmbH Munich, Germany, http://www.las-cad.com/ .
A. E. Siegman, Lasers, (University Science Books, Mill Valley, 1986).
O. Svelto, Principles of lasers (Springer, New York, 1998).
R. J. LeVeque, Finite volume methods for hyperbolic problems (Cambridge Texts in Applied Mathematics, 2007).
E. Hairer, and G. Wanner, Solving ordinary differential Eqs. (2): Stiff and differential-algebraic problems, (Springer, Berlin, 1996).
W. Koechner, Solid-state laser engineering, (Springer, Berlin, 2006).
International Organization for Standardization EN ISO 11146:2000 and EN ISO 11146:1999,” Laser and laser-related equipment. Test methods for laser beam parameters. Beam width, divergence angle and beam propagation factor,” (ISO, Geneva, 2000).
F. Träger, Springer Handbook of Lasers and Optics (Springer, Berlin, 2007), Chap. 11.2.

Cited By

Alert me when this paper is cited

OSA is able to provide readers links to articles that cite this paper by participating in CrossRef's Cited-By Linking service. CrossRef includes content from more than 3000 publishers and societies. In addition to listing OSA journal articles that cite this paper, citing articles from other participating publishers will also be listed.

Click here to see a list of articles that cite this paper

Figures


Fig. 1	Fig. 2	Fig. 3


Fig. 4	Fig. 5	Fig. 6


Fig. 7	Fig. 8	Fig. 9


Fig. 10	Fig. 11	Fig. 12

Multimedia

Multimedia Files	Recommended Software
» Media 1: MOV (1420 KB)	QuickTime
» Media 2: MOV (915 KB)	QuickTime
» Media 3: MOV (733 KB)	QuickTime
» Media 4: MOV (576 KB)	QuickTime

« Previous Article | Next Article »

OSA is a member of CrossRef.

[1] P. A. Bélanger, “Beam propagation and the ABCD ray matrices,” Opt. Lett. 16(4), 196–198 (1991). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[2] A. E. Siegman, Lasers, (University Science Books, Mill Valley, 1986).

[3] O. Svelto, Principles of lasers (Springer, New York, 1998).

[4] A. G. Fox and T. Li, “Resonant modes in a maser interferometer,” Bell Syst. Tech. J. 40, 453–458 (1961).

[5] X. Zhang, S. Zhao, Q. Wang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Modeling of diode-pumped actively Q-switched lasers,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 35(12), 1912–1918 (1999). [CrossRef]

[6] O. A. Louchev, Y. Urata, and S. Wada, “Numerical simulation and optimization of Q-switched 2 mum Tm,Ho:YLF laser,” Opt. Express 15(7), 3940–3947 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[7] G. Li, S. Zhao, H. Zhao, K. Yang, and S. Ding, “Rate equations and solutions of a laser-diode end-pumped passively Q-switched intracavity doubling laser by taking into account intracavity laser spatial distribution,” Opt. Commun. 234(1-6), 321–328 (2004). [CrossRef]

[8] K. Altmann, C. Pflaum, and D. Seider, “Three-dimensional finite element computation of laser cavity eigenmodes [corrected],” Appl. Opt. 43(9), 1892–1901 (2004). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[9] B. Heubeck, C. Pflaum, and G. Steinle, “New finite elements for large-scale simulation of optical Waves,” SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 31(2), 1063–1081 (2009). [CrossRef]

[10] B. Heubeck and C. Pflaum, “Numerical simulation of multiple modes in solid state lasers,” Proc. SPIE 6190, 61900X (2006). [CrossRef]

[11] LAS-CAD GmbH Munich, Germany, http://www.las-cad.com/ .

[12] R. Paschotta, “Beam quality deterioration of lasers caused by intracavity beam distortions,” Opt. Express 14(13), 6069–6074 (2006). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[13] W. Koechner, Solid-state laser engineering, (Springer, Berlin, 2006).

[14] T. Y. Fan, “Heat generation in Nd:YAG and Yb:YAG,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(6), 1457–1459 (1993). [CrossRef]

[15] Q. Zhang, B. Ozygus, and H. Weber, “Degeneration effects in laser cavities,” Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. 6(3), 293–298 (1999). [CrossRef]

[16] S. Wang, X. Wang, T. Riesbeck, and H. J. Eichler, “Thermal lensing effects in pulsed end pumped Nd lasers at 940 nm,” Proc. SPIE 7194, 71940J (2009). [CrossRef]

[17] R. J. LeVeque, Finite volume methods for hyperbolic problems (Cambridge Texts in Applied Mathematics, 2007).

[18] E. Hairer, and G. Wanner, Solving ordinary differential Eqs. (2): Stiff and differential-algebraic problems, (Springer, Berlin, 1996).

[19] A. E. Siegman and S. W. Townsend, “Output beam propagation and beam quality from a multimode stable-cavity laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 29(4), 1212–1217 (1993). [CrossRef]

[20] International Organization for Standardization EN ISO 11146:2000 and EN ISO 11146:1999,” Laser and laser-related equipment. Test methods for laser beam parameters. Beam width, divergence angle and beam propagation factor,” (ISO, Geneva, 2000).

[21] F. Träger, Springer Handbook of Lasers and Optics (Springer, Berlin, 2007), Chap. 11.2.

[22] J. J. Degnan, “Theory of the Optimally Coupled Q-Switched Laser,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 25(2), 214–220 (1989). [CrossRef]

[23] R. B. Kay and D. Poulios, “Q-Switched Rate Equations for Diode Side-Pumped Slab and Zigzag Slab Lasers Including Gaussian Beam Shapes,” IEEE J. Quantum Electron. 41(10), 1278–1284 (2005). [CrossRef]

Select a Conference
Session or Paper #
Year

OpticsInfoBase

Optics Express

Dynamic multimode analysis of Q-switched solid state laser cavities

Article Tools

Abstract

References

Appl. Opt.

Bell Syst. Tech. J.

Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys.

IEEE J. Quantum Electron.

Opt. Commun.

Opt. Express

Opt. Lett.

Proc. SPIE

SIAM J. Sci. Comput.

Other

Cited By

Figures

Multimedia

Related Journal Articles

Related Conference Papers