Abstract

For optimum performance of a laser system it is necessary to adapt the output coupling to the losses and the small-signal gain so that the extraction efficiency reaches a maximum. But the existing relations between the above-mentioned parameters^1,2 do not take into account the mode structure and its change of shape due to saturation, and this can produce considerable errors in output power and extraction efficiency.³ Therefore, a numerical model was developed, which combines Kirchhoff integrals with the differential equation for the amplification of the electric field to investigate the effects of mode structure, longitudinal and radial pumping light distribution, rod radius to beam radius ratio, and pinhole radius to beam radius ratio on the output power. The calculations were carried out for stable and unstable resonators, and some of the results are as follows:

© 1988 Optical Society of America