Modeling of beam width in passively Q-switched end-pumped lasers

An iterative model based on the LambertW function was developed for estimating the fundamental mode parameters of resonators with saturable gain guiding. The process of pulse buildup in passively Q-switched, end-pumped lasers was analyzed. The effective ABCD cavity matrix for consecutive round-trips was calculated, taking into account spatially variable saturated gain in an active medium and absorption bleaching in a saturable absorber. The twofold decrease in beam width, as compared with the fundamental mode of the bare cavity, was demonstrated. The application of such a model for resonators with other nonlinear elements is feasible. (C) 2003 Optical Society of America.