Analytical model of Optical path difference in Yb:YAG thin disk laser

Abstract

An analytical model of Optical Path Difference (OPD) of thin disk laser is developed with the combination of analytical method and commercial FEA software. The distributions of temperature, stress, strain and OPD caused by temperature gradient, axial thermal strain (bulging), and thermal strain-induced birefringence and deformation are obtained. Based on the analytical model, the production mechanisms, features, and influence of OPD in end pumped thin disk laser are discussed, which make the causes of spherical and asphrecial part of OPD more obviously.