Multielement stable resonators containing a variable lens

Abstract

A unified formulation for the analysis of linear stable resonators containing a lens of variable focal length, which represents the rod of a solid-state laser, and other intracavity optical systems is presented. The stability, the mode spot sizes, the dynamical stability, and the misalignment sensitivity are investigated, and general properties that are valid for any resonator are derived. Some important practical consequences for resonator design are discussed.