Efficient thermal induced birefringence compensation in a QCW diode pumped Nd:YAG laser

Thermal induced birefringence in a QCW diode pumped Nd:YAG laser is experimentally investigated. The isogyre pattern is analyzed in a polariscopic arrangement and at 1 kHz pulse repetition rate. The depolarization loss was significantly reduced and efficient compensation of birefringence effect, about %75, was attained by using a double-rod configuration and a 90° polarization rotator with a suitable imaging optical telescope. The laser output energy per pulse before compensation was 10 mJ, whereas after compensation, this energy was enhanced to more than 16 amJ.