Custom laser resonators using graded-phase mirrors: circular geometry

Abstract

The properties of a new class of resonators using graded-phase mirrors designed for delivering a prescribed intensity output profile are analyzed in the circular geometry. It is shown that the diffraction losses of super-Gaussian custom resonators strongly favor the single-transverse-mode operation, and optimum design parameters are suggested. Simulations indicate that these resonators behave reasonably well in the presence of perturbations such as thermal lensing fluctuations or gain saturation.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>