Laser Resonators with Polarizing Elements—Eigenstates and Eigenvalues of Polarization

Abstract

A matrix method is used to calculate losses and eigenpolarizations of laser resonators containing linear elements (e.g., mirrors, laser rods, Pockels cells, and stack-plate polarizers). Experiments confirm the prediction that for the combination of a Pockels cell and a stack-plate polarizer, a critical voltage exists, above which the induced loss is no longer voltage dependent, and the in-cavity extinction ratio of the Pockels shutter is determined by the degree of polarization achieved in the stacked plates. The steep rise of the losses near the critical voltage points out the possibility of modulating the loss with a fair degree of modulation at moderate voltages.