Reflection losses of a multidisc diode-pumped Nd: YAG laser

This paper reports on the alignment requirements of a scalable multidisc laser with respect to the internal reflection losses of the resonator. Considering the polarization state of the mode, these losses are generated due to a polarization mismatch at the disc surfaces. Measurements of the polarization of the output beam from a laser containing tilted discs were compared with computer simulations. The losses were calculated for resonators containing discs deviating slightly from the ideal orientation in a random manner, in order to predict the alignment requirements for a multidisc system. Results for variable numbers of discs and angular deviations are presented.