Mode matching to an optical cavity

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter kelly0303
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gaussian beam
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on optimizing mode matching of a laser light to a symmetrical bow-tie optical cavity using ABCD matrix formalism. The user aims to achieve a Gaussian beam waist positioned between two flat mirrors after passing through a divergent and then a convergent lens. Key challenges include accounting for lens thickness and the effects of an electro-optic modulator (EOM) on the beam path. The conversation emphasizes the need for precise calculations to determine the focal lengths and distances of the lenses for effective mode matching.

PREREQUISITES
  • ABCD matrix formalism for optical systems
  • Understanding of Gaussian beam propagation
  • Knowledge of lens types: divergent and convergent
  • Familiarity with electro-optic modulators (EOM)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of lens thickness on ABCD matrix calculations
  • Explore methods for calculating effective focal lengths in optical systems
  • Study the influence of EOM on beam characteristics and mode matching
  • Learn about practical techniques for optimizing laser beam alignment in optical cavities
USEFUL FOR

Optical engineers, physicists, and researchers involved in laser optics and cavity design, particularly those focused on mode matching and beam propagation techniques.

kelly0303
Messages
573
Reaction score
33
Hello! I need to mode match a laser light to an optical cavity and I am a bit unsure what is the most time efficient way of doing so. The cavity is a symmetrical bow-tie and I inject the light from one of the flat mirrors (the other 2 are concave). In this case, I want the shape of the gaussian beam after passing through the mode matching lenses, to have the waist right in between the 2 flat mirrors. Doing ABCD matrix formalism I know the expected waist in the steady state inside the cavity. I can also calculate the waist after the beam passes through the lenses (given my setup it turns out I need first a divergent than a convergent lens). However, for this latter case, there are several unknowns, for example, I can use the formula for the ABCD formalism for a thin lens, but how do I account for the thickness of the lenses? Or, the light passes through an EOM, do I just assume that is a block of glass of a given index of refraction? Overall, I might get an estimate, but I can't precisely calculate the needed lenses focal lenses and distance between them. What is the best way, starting from the calculations, to optimize in practice the mode matching?
 

Similar threads

Graduate ABCD matrix formalism for real laser
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
Graduate Mode Matching a Cavity: Best Practices Explained
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate Confused about the Purcell effect in a cavity
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Graduate Accounting for Astigmatism in Bow Tie Cavity: Finding the Optimal Cavity Length
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Graduate Weird beam behavior in a cavity
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Gaussian beam in a Fabry-Perot interferometer
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate Confused about reflected signal in a bow-tie optical cavity
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad Angular stability of a Fabry–Pérot cavity
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Question about aligning a cavity
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Graduate Question about bow-tie cavities
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K