In order to compensate for the thermally induced lenses in high-power laser rods we investigate self-adaptive techniques based on thermo-optical processes. Recently we have demonstrated that the influence of the thermal lense in high-power lasers can be reduced significantly by means of a thin liquid layer located within the resonator. Here we report on the investigations of different liquids and gels for the generation of the adaptive lens and discus an improved implementation of the technique, with the compensating layer placed directly in contact with the laser rod.

Date Published: 6 June 2002
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 4629, Laser Resonators and Beam Control V, (6 June 2002); doi: 10.1117/12.469481

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4629:
Laser Resonators and Beam Control V
Alexis V. Kudryashov, Editor(s)