Theory of Dynamic Optical Distortion in Isotropic Laser Materials

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Abstract
In this paper, Fermat's principle is applied to the analysis of pump‐induced optical distortion in isotropic laser materials. This approach leads to expressions for the slope and trajectories of rays through a laser amplifier rod for a plane‐wave input. These results are then used to predict ray refraction, beam divergence, and optical path length through the rod as a function of radius, time, and polarization. The index of refraction of the material is considered to change both as a result of thermal effects and as a result of the presence of an excited ion population.