Abstract

The problem of formation of the given intensity distribution at the surface being treated has become particularly topical because of the widespread use of lasers in technological processes and medicine. This problem was solved previously by use of compensators, kinoforms, spatial filters, etc. However these optical elements were developed for beams with the given structure (mostly Gaussian). Varying the illumination conditions, the efficiency of such elements deteriorates appreciably. Another way to solve this problem is to use graded reflectivity mirrors [1] inside laser cavity. This appears to be the optimum solution for the lasers with an unstable geometrv. But for stable ones with small gain the intrinsic loss of a graded reflectivity mirror is Too high. Then it was suggested to extend the same fabrication technology for stable lasers and to develop graded-phase mirrors [2], But the shortcoming of such correctors is the narrow sphere of their application: every change of laser parameters needs its own unique graded phase mirror.

© 1998 IEEE