Fluorescence Amplification and Parasitic Oscillation Limitations in Disc Lasers

Abstract

In disc laser amplifiers, the achievable inversion (and thus the gain and energy output) is limited by fluorescence amplification and parasitic oscillation. In the paper, analytic results and Monte Carlo calculations of both these effects are presented for spheres, circular discs, and elliptical discs. The effects of gain, fluorescence line profile, refractive indices, and disc thickness on fluorescence amplification are presented. Parasitic oscillation is analyzed as a function of edge and face index ratios, and of edge roughening. The effects of both processes on peak inversion achieved during a pumping pulse are also presented. In conclusion, the maximum practical size of Nd(3+) glass laser discs is estimated to be about 30 cm due to the effects of parasitic oscillation and fluorescence amplification.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0747234

Entities

People

  • John B. Trenholme

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Diameters
  • Diffraction
  • Energy
  • Energy Storage
  • Geometry
  • Laser Amplifiers
  • Laser Materials
  • Lasers
  • Materials
  • Optical Properties
  • Radiation
  • Reflection
  • Refractive Index
  • Shape
  • Surface Properties
  • Thickness

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers