Abstract

Intracavity adaptive optics for output radiation control is an advanced trend of laser engineering. In this work on the base of the Freshnel integral, we derive an algorithmic relation, which permits us to synthesize the profile of resonator mirrors for given distribution of the output radiation complexamplitude. With this relation we formulate a deterministic algorithm to be used for controlling the unstable confocal resonator loss without beam quality degradation via an appropriate profiling of active mirrors. The efficiency of single-channel correction of a heat lens in a laser with Fabry–Perot resonator is estimated theoretically and experimentally. A new type of metal membrane active mirror for intracavity power control and heat lens correction is proposed. In experiments with 20-Watt YAG:Nd³⁺ laser, equipped with this mirror, the heat lens correction resulted in a decrease of output radiation divergency in far field by a factor of 1.5–3.

© 1990 Optical Society of America