Optical resonators for high-power CO2 lasers with aspherical mirrors

Thomas F. E. Henning; Uwe Habich; Reinhart Poprawe

doi:10.1117/12.349255

24 May 1999 Optical resonators for high-power CO₂ lasers with aspherical mirrors

Thomas F. E. Henning, Uwe Habich, Reinhart Poprawe

Proceedings Volume 3611, Laser Resonators II; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349255
Event: Optoelectronics '99 - Integrated Optoelectronic Devices, 1999, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental investigations are carried out to investigate the possible improvements of beam quality and electro-optical efficiency of high-power CO₂ laser devices which are equipped with aspherical end mirrors. The experiments were performed at output power levels up to 10 kW and high resonator Fresnel numbers up to 10. Compared to standard unstable resonators the electro-optical efficiency can be improved by 50%. At an output power up to 1 kW the beam quality achieved with aspherical resonator mirrors is improved significantly compared to spherical stable resonators. Resonator simulations on the basis of the Fox and Li algorithm show that multi-mode operation is the main problem with aspherical resonators at high output power.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas F. E. Henning, Uwe Habich, and Reinhart Poprawe "Optical resonators for high-power CO₂ lasers with aspherical mirrors", Proc. SPIE 3611, Laser Resonators II, (24 May 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.349255

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