Abstract

Both amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and parasitic oscillation affect the design of high-gain laser disks and slabs, limiting their maximum dimension and necessitating the use of index-matched optically absorbing edge claddings. To estimate the ASE level in various laser geometries of interest, we developed a Monte Carlo ray-tracing model which includes a nonhomogeneous gain profile, Fresnel reflection from the dielectric interfaces, partial delamination of the absorbing cladding from the laser medium, as well as optically thin claddings which return some of the incident ASE back into the gain region.

© 1988 Optical Society of America