Output Power And Beam Quality Analysis
The Dynamic Multi-Mode Analysis DMA calculates output power and the beam quality (M2) depending on the beam radius, pump/resonator configuration, and special optical elements, such as, apertures and Gaussian output couplers.
The DMA method allows the calculation of the population inversion, in the laser crystal, based on a finite volume discretization grid. The time dynamic behavior of the laser is simulated by rate equations for different high and low order Gaussian modes. Watch video on Youtube.
Rate Equation Systems
ASLD can simulate dynamic behaviour of resonator modes based on a set of arbitrary rate equations. This includes simulation of co-doped materials and various interionic mechanisms like upconversion, energy transfer, or cross-relaxation. Rate equations are stored in a material database, which can be extended by the user. A user-friendly GUI let the user setup individual rate equations by adding interionic mechanisms and energy levels.
Simulation of an arbitrary set of rate equations allows an accurate simulation of the dynamic behaviour of resonator modes. Moreover, it enables user to accurately simulate the thermal lens effect in a laser crystal. The heat source can be calculated using the interionic transitions and the populations. Lasers with gain medium like Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG, Er:YAG, Er:glass, or Tm, Ho:YAG can be simulated by ASLD. Also, ASLD rate equations take into account systems with multiple levels, temperature dependent stimulated emission cross-section and reabsorption.
Laser Stability, Beam Radius And Parameter Analysis
ASLD analyzes the stability of a solid-state laser and calculates its beam radius depending on the resonator configuration and thermal lensing effects. Also, the stability of a laser resonator can be calculated depending on the laser beam polarization. ASLD simulates also the main factors influencing the stability of lasers.
Moreover, ASLD provides a tool for parameter analysis in order to optimize the design of a laser resonator. The output power, beam quality and stability diagram of a laser resonator can be plotted for a range of input parameters:
• Power of pump light
• Pump frequency shift
• Reflectivity of the output mirror
ASLD is capable of calculating the impact of each input parameter variations on the above mentioned output quantities. The parameter analysis uses advanced algorithms for minimal computation time and saves resonator optimization costs.
Ultra-Short Pulse Amplifier
The ASLD package simulates the output power and gain of amplifiers. The population inversion is modelled on a three dimensional finite volume grid. This allows an accurate calculation of the influence of pump configuration on output power. The above effectively simulates single-pass and double-pass. Furthermore, ultra-short and chirped-pulse amplifiers can also be simulated.
ASLD accounts for effects like gain guiding, Kerr lensing effect, and pump light separation providing accuracy in calculating output power. Methods like Beam Propagation Method (FEM-BPM) are used for simulating beam shape of a laser amplifier. This method allows accurate calculation of guiding effects. Ray tracing is included in order to define pump light in a user-friendly manner. Moreover, ASLD rate equations take into account three and four level systems. Watch video on Youtube.
