Thermal lensing compensation optics for high power lasers

Michael Scaggs; Gil Haas

doi:10.1117/12.871370

18 February 2011 Thermal lensing compensation optics for high power lasers

Michael Scaggs, Gil Haas

Proceedings Volume 7913, Laser Resonators and Beam Control XIII; 79130C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.871370
Event: SPIE LASE, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Athermalization of focusing objectives is a common technique for optimizing imaging systems in the infrared where thermal effects are a major concern. The athermalization is generally done within the spectrum of interest and not generally applied to a single wavelength. The predominate glass used with high power infrared lasers in the near infrared of one micron, such as Nd:YAG and fiber lasers, is fused silica which has excellent thermal properties. All glasses, however, have a temperature coefficient of index of refraction (dn/dT) where as the glass heats up its index of refraction changes. Most glasses, fused silica included, have a positive dn/dT. A positive dn/dT will cause the focal length of the lens to decrease with a temperature rise. Many of the fluoride glasses, like CaF₂, BaF₂, LiF₂, etc. have a negative dn/dT. By applying athermalization techniques of glass selection and optical design, the thermal lensing in a laser objective of a high power laser system can be substantially mitigated. We describe a passive method for minimizing thermal lensing of high power laser optics.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Scaggs and Gil Haas "Thermal lensing compensation optics for high power lasers", Proc. SPIE 7913, Laser Resonators and Beam Control XIII, 79130C (18 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.871370

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available