Sensitivity and stability of a radiation-balanced laser system

• Published in: IEEE journal of quantum electronics 2002-10, Vol.38 (10), p.1339-1348
• Main Authors: Bowman, S.R., Jenking, N.W., O'Connor, S.R., Feldman, B.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Construction; Cooling; Doped-insulator lasers and other solid state lasers; Efficiency, stability, gain, and other operational parameters; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Laser materials; Laser modes; Laser noise; Laser optical systems: design and operation; Laser stability; Laser theory; Laser transitions; Lasers; Mathematical models; Optical materials; Optics; Perturbation methods; Physics; Potassium gadolinium tungstate; Pump lasers; Quantum electronics; Solid lasers; Solid state lasers; Spontaneous emission; Stimulated emission; Thermal stresses
• ISSN: 0018-9197; 1558-1713
• DOI: 10.1109/JQE.2002.802950

It has been previously shown that it is theoretically possible to build a solid-state laser that generates no internal heat. This is accomplished through a detailed balance of the stimulated and spontaneous emission. Such a device is called a radiation-balanced laser. Here, we analyze laser operation when conditions deviate from perfect balance. Sensitivity and stability analyses are presented for perturbations in the field parameters and temperature. We show that the radiation balance is a stable equilibrium under both transient and steady-state perturbations. Limits are derived on the magnitude of allowable spatial perturbations, and techniques for spatial mode matching are discussed. Numerical simulations of 1-/spl mu/m laser operation of Yb-doped potassium gadolinium tungstate are provided as an example.