Continuous wave adaptive laser resonators using degenerate four-wave mixing in a diode bar side-pumped Nd:YVO₄ amplifier

Hendricks, J., Mailis, S., Shepherd, D.P., Tropper, A.C., Crofts, G.J., Trew, M., Damzen, M.J. and Eason, R.W. (1999) Continuous wave adaptive laser resonators using degenerate four-wave mixing in a diode bar side-pumped Nd:YVO₄ amplifier. 14th National Quantum Electronics Conference (QE14), Manchester, United Kingdom. 05 - 08 Sep 1999.

Abstract

Self-adaptive laser resonators based on diffraction from a gain grating have shown considerable promise for correction of distortion in high-average-power solid-state laser systems, as well as for spectral and temporal control of the laser radiation [1-4]. In these systems, the gain grating is formed by spatial hole burning caused by interference of coherent beams in the laser amplifier and modulation of the population inversion. The gain grating formation can be used for phase conjugation by using the amplifier in a four-wave mixing geometry [2], for self-pumped phase conjugation by using an input beam in a self-intersecting loop geometry [3] and for formation of a self-starting adaptive oscillator by providing additional feedback from an output coupler and requiring no external optical input. Experimental demonstrations have been performed successfully in several laser systems including flashlamp-pumped and quasi-c.w. pumped neodymium-doped amplifiers [1,2], in laser-pumped titanium-doped sapphire [4] and CO₂ lasers. We present for the first time, demonstration of a continuous-wave self-adaptive holographic laser resonator. The operation is based on the very high reflectivities (>100) of a gain grating formed in a diode-bar side-pumped Nd:YVO₄ amplifier.

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Contributors

Author: S. Mailis

Author: D.P. Shepherd

Author: R.W. Eason

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