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Updated: Mar 22, 2026
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The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry
Published on: August 12, 2013
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Adaptable beam profiles from a dual-cavity Nd:YAG laser.
Optics Letters
|April 16, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a method to adjust laser beam profiles from donut to quasi-top-hat shapes. This is achieved by controlling the mix of fundamental (TEM00) and Laguerre-Gaussian (LG01) laser modes.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Laser beam shaping is crucial for various applications.
- Controlling transverse modes allows for beam profile tailoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a technique for directly generating tunable laser beam profiles.
- To transition laser output from a donut to a quasi-top-hat intensity distribution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a dual-cavity configuration with a single Nd:YAG gain element.
- Simultaneously excited fundamental (TEM00) and first-order Laguerre-Gaussian (LG01) modes.
- Varied diffraction loss using an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) in a secondary cavity.
Main Results:
- Achieved adaptable continuous-wave laser beam profiles.
- Demonstrated control over beam profile by adjusting pump power and AOM diffraction loss.
- Successfully transitioned beam profiles from donut to quasi-top-hat shapes.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique offers direct, in-laser control over beam profiles.
- This method provides a pathway to tunable laser beam shaping.
- Potential applications in areas requiring precise beam control.
