Azimuthally polarized 1 kW CO2 laser with a triple-axicon retroreflector optical resonator

摘要

An optical resonator for generating high-power, axially symmetric polarized beams is demonstrated. Thenrear mirror of a commercial CO2 laser is replaced by a triple-axicon retroreflector unit that is composed of anwaxicon and an axicon accurately fitted together. The selection of the polarization is made by the reflectivityndifference between p and s polarizations at the inclined surfaces. Sharp discrimination of polarizationnwithin a 0.4% of difference in reflectivity is demonstrated. A stable 1kW azimuthally polarized LG0n1nlasernbeam is generated, and the measured beam quality is 2.0. © 2008 Optical Society of America