Polarizing Optical Components For High Power Glass Laser Systems

Stanley Refermat; Jay Eastman

doi:10.1117/12.955010

22 October 1976 Polarizing Optical Components For High Power Glass Laser Systems

Stanley Refermat, Jay Eastman

Proceedings Volume 0088, Polarized Light: Instruments, Devices, Applications; (1976) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955010
Event: 20th Annual Technical Symposium, 1976, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Large glass laser systems used in laser fusion research operate with intrasystem power densities of up to 1010 W/cm2. These multibeam laser systems utilize numerous subassemblies to perform various tasks. Polarization components are important elements in subassemblies such as unidirectional optical isolators, bidirectional optical isolators and variable ratio beam dividers. At power densities of gigawatts/cm2, nonlinear effects limit the power level that can be prieagatV through a glass laser system. An intensity induced refractive index change of PPM at levels of 1010 w/cm2 can cause whole beam self-focusing and small scale beam break-up. Polarization components for use in these systems must be selected on the basis of minimal contribution to nonlinear phenomena as well as acceptable optical performance. Nonlinear considerations exclude the use of such components as birefringent crystal polarizers and the MacNeille polarizer in the presence of gigawatt/cm power densities. Thin film plate polarizers are used in large aperture low contrast applications because they combine acceptable optical performance with a relatively low nonlinear contribution. This review paper describes some commonly used polarization components and discusses their applicability to high power glass laser systems.

Citation Download Citation

Stanley Refermat and Jay Eastman "Polarizing Optical Components For High Power Glass Laser Systems", Proc. SPIE 0088, Polarized Light: Instruments, Devices, Applications, (22 October 1976); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955010

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