Abstract

A novel compact waveguide architecture for highly efficient, near-diffraction-limited solid state lasers is demonstrated. High beam quality is obtained in rectangular-aperture multi-mode dielectric waveguides¹ by a “self-imaging” process.² We define self-imaging as the condition that an optical beam will periodically re-image within a multi-mode rectangular waveguide. This behavior was first reported almost 30 years ago, ³ is currently used in telecommunications, and has been modeled for hollow waveguide lasers.⁴ To our knowledge it has not previously been implemented in solid state lasers. The self-imaging waveguide architecture is well-suited to demanding moderate-power-level applications such as deep space communication, and also to powerscaling to >100 W powers.

© 2002 Optical Society of America