Low-power laser concepts for high-power laser ring resonator alignment

David M. Swain; Gary F. Morr; David H. Schwamb; Robert E. Waldo

doi:10.1117/12.150630

13 August 1993 Low-power laser concepts for high-power laser ring resonator alignment

David M. Swain, Gary F. Morr, David H. Schwamb, Robert E. Waldo

Proceedings Volume 1868, Laser Resonators and Coherent Optics: Modeling, Technology, and Applications; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.150630
Event: OE/LASE'93: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Scienceand Engineering, 1993, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The paper discusses the design features of four low-power laser (LPL) concepts (the external LPL concept, the annular LPL, the compact beam LPL, and the rear cone LPL) for use in the alignment of a high-power laser (HPL) for space applications and describes a specific high-power ring resonator, the High Extraction Decentered Annular Ring Resonator. Particular attention is given to the comparison of the four LPL concepts. It is concluded that the external LPL is not desirable due to the added alignment steps required to boresight the LPL to the HPL optical axis and that the annular LPL has an unacceptably large threshold gain for gain generator areas less than 3000 sq cm. While the compact beam LPL concept was found to be the most flow efficient, the rear cone LPL was found to maximize the gain area and thus the output power for the 60-cm maximum gain length determined by the spacecraft envelope requirements.

Citation Download Citation

David M. Swain, Gary F. Morr, David H. Schwamb, and Robert E. Waldo "Low-power laser concepts for high-power laser ring resonator alignment", Proc. SPIE 1868, Laser Resonators and Coherent Optics: Modeling, Technology, and Applications, (13 August 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.150630

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available