Polarization effects, birefringent filtering, and single-frequency operation in lasers containing a birefringent gain crystal

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 228 - 235
• Main Authors: Kemp, A.J., Friel, G.J., Lake, T.K., Conroy, R.S., Sinclair, B.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-02-2000; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Birefringence; Calculus; Crystals; Diode-pumped lasers; Doped-insulator lasers and other solid state lasers; Exact sciences and technology; Filtering; Filters; Frequency; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Gain; Holes; Jones calculus; Laser modes; Lasers; Mathematical models; Microchip lasers; Optics; Physics; Polarization; Predictive models; Wavelength measurement; Single frequency laser; Second harmonic generation; Optical polarization; Solid state lasers; Ternary compounds; Theoretical study; Diode pumping; Yttrium Vanadates; Microlaser; Intracavity; Birefringent filter; Neodymium lasers
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/3.823469

The effect of having a birefringent gain crystal is studied in the context of two laser systems: an intracavity frequency-doubled microchip laser and a compact single-frequency laser utilizing a birefringent filter. A model based on Jones calculus is proposed to predict the polarization and wavelength structure of the longitudinal modes and is found to be consistent with experimental measurements. The optimization of these systems is discussed, and the importance of the birefringences in the cavity and cavity length is indicated.