Theory of Laser Regeneration Switching

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Abstract
The theory of laser regeneration switching is developed. The rate equations are derived and, using ruby as an example, the material‐cavity parameters are evaluated for a 1‐cm3 rod. Steady‐state solutions for t0. Using approximate solutions, three modes of laser operation, other than the normal mode, are discussed. With the first mode: the pulsed reflection mode (PRM) switched to minimum coupling, output pulses with peak powers of 17 MW and 10 nsec duration are predicted, with 2% of the initially stored energy emitted. With the second mode: the PRM switched to critical coupling, peak powers of 170 MW with pulse durations of about 8 nsec, and with about 50% of the stored energy emitted, are predicted. In the third mode: the pulsed transmission mode (PTM), peak powers of about 900 MW, pulse durations around one nsec, with 52% of the stored energy emitted, are predicted. Experimental approaches to PTM operation are briefly discussed.