Graded reflectivity mirror resonators for lasers with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section

摘要

A resonator for the modal control of a laser with a gain medium having a non-circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the resonator. It has a graded reflectivity mirror as the output coupler. The graded reflectivity mirror consists of a partial reflector which has a reflectivity that varies gradually according to the position on the mirror's surface. The resonator is either astigmatic or the graded reflectivity mirror has a non circularly symmetric reflectivity profile or both. It allows the production of a good optical quality beam with an efficient energy extraction.