Laser with adjustable mirror for mode control

摘要

A laser comprising a first mirror having a shape. The shape is generally spherical for typical lasers with the shape of the mirror being defined by the radius of curvature of a reflective surface on the mirror. A second mirror is provided mounted with the first to define a laser cavity. The cross-sectional sizes of the modes of oscillation within the laser cavity are defined by the shape of the first mirror. An aperture at a given location having a fixed cross-sectional size is mounted with the laser cavity. Alternatively, a laser bore which forms an effective aperture at a given location is used. A means is mounted with the first mirror for adjusting the shape of the first mirror so that the cross-sectional size of a selected mode at the given location matches the cross-sectional size of the aperture.