Principles and limitations of a quarter-wave plate for reducing the depolarization loss from thermally induced birefringence in Nd:YAG lasers

Using a Jones-vector formalism, we analyzed the role of a quarter-wave plate in reducing the depolarization loss from thermally induced birefringence in a Nd:YAG laser with polarized output. A quarter-wave plate at an appropriate location could reduce the depolarization loss by as much as 6.25%. It was determined, however, that this scheme was nor adequate for a laser of multimode output, although its performance in the TEM00 mode output was satisfactory. We confirmed the results of this analysis by conducting detailed experiments with a laser-diode side-pumped Nd:YAG laser. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.