NG:YAG laser beam fundamental characteristics determination

Abstract

In this work, a characterization of the beam emitted by a high-power Nd:YAG laser generator, designed and constructed for research, is performed. To accomplish this, the temporal stability of the pulses energy is measured and then the spatial distribution of the energy in different planes is showed. From this both the divergence of the laser beam in far field and the position and radius of his waist are calculated. It is also shown the advantages of using the Knife Method for the measurement of laser beam features and the MAPLE program in the experimental data processing.