Control of the parameters of solid-state lasers by dynamic gratings in a DKDP crystal

Pulsed and cw Nd3+:YAG lasers were used in an experimental investigation of the influence of dynamic gratings in intracavity DKDP crystal elements on the main characteristics of the radiation emitted by solid-state lasers at room temperature. A hologram, formed in a DKDP crystal by a two-beam method, induced generation of pulsed laser radiation which had the spectral characteristics of a signal beam injected from outside in the form of radiation from a cw Nd3+:YAG laser. In experiments on a cw Nd3+:YAG laser the formation of a phase grating resulted in selection of transverse radiation modes. Such selection made the repetition period of the lasing spikes more regular and reduced their duration. A study was made of the dependence of the amplitude of a photoinduced electric field, inducing photorefraction, on the polarisation of the radiation of the 1.06 μm wavelength. The formation of phase gratings in a DKDP crystal was the effect of excitation of impurity centres. The results obtained indicated feasibility of extending the range of control functions which can be performed by DKDP crystal elements. (control of laser radiation parameters)