Reduction of the time-to-full-brightness in solid-state lasers using intra-cavity adaptive optics

Several adaptive-optics techniques, based on the active modification of the optical properties of the laser cavity, were used to significantly reduce the time-to-full-brightness of solid-state lasers. Resonator re-configuration was achieved using a mechanical translation stage and both multi- and single-element deformable bimorph mirrors. Using these techniques the effects of thermally induced distortion in Nd:YLF and Nd:YAG lasers can be minimized and the warm-up time reduced by a factor of 3-6.