Abstract

Analyses and experiments have been performed to investigate deflection of a Gaussian beam propagating through an amplifying medium possessing a strong transverse gain gradient. The analysis includes effects due to dispersion and gain steering. The experiments were performed in a high power pulsed chemical laser amplifier using a cw frequency stabilized laser as a source. Time dependent beam deflection due to the interaction of the gain gradient with the finite radius of curvature of the propagating beam was observed.

© 1979 Optical Society of America

Influence of Gaussian beam properties on laser Doppler signals

F. Durst and W. H. Stevenson
Appl. Opt. 18(4) 516-524 (1979)

Measurement of the gain and refraction effects in a solid state laser

J. Fesquet, H. Irla, and J. Roig
Appl. Opt. 18(2) 175-178 (1979)

A Survey of Laser Beam Deflection Techniques

V. J. Fowler and J. Schlafer
Appl. Opt. 5(10) 1675-1682 (1966)

Phase control of HF chemical lasers for coherent optical recombination

C. P. Wang and P. L. Smith
Appl. Opt. 18(9) 1322-1327 (1979)

Low-loss antireflection coatings for DF chemical lasers

J. Earl Rudisill, James A. Harrington, and Morris Braunstein
Appl. Opt. 18(8) 1220-1225 (1979)