Elimination of spatial hole burning in solid-state lasers using nanostructured thin films

Multimode laser emission generally takes place in homogeneously broadened gain media placed inside a standing-wave resonator due to spatial hole burning. Solutions proposed to eliminate this phenomenon have so far involved the use of intracavity elements, such as an etalon, wave plates or saturable absorbers. We propose a monolithic solution, wherein birefringent layers of TiO₂ are deposited on both laser mirrors. This solution enables one to control the contrast of the interference pattern of the standing wave inside the resonator, and thus the strength of the spatial hole burning, by rotating one mirror around the optical axis. A monochromatic laser emission is demonstrated in a quasi-continuous-wave laser-diode-pumped Yb³⁺:YAG laser experiment.