Precise Alignment of a Longitudinal Pockels Cell for Q-switch Operation Nd:YAG Laser
Abstract
The failure to accurately center optical components may, especially in the case of high gain of the Nd:YAG lasers, produce strong parasitic off-axis laser action capable of causing severe component damage typically to the Pockels cell. We report a precise longitudinal alignment of the Pockels cell by modulating the laser polarization using an experimental setup of circular dichroism. This procedure is based on the use of an analyzer at 0° or 45° of the Pockels cell axes, and it allows us to adjust the Q-switching delay for best pulse shape, maximum output energy and to reduce the lack of symmetry of the spot laser considerably.
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