Laguerre-Gaussian modes in a double-end-pumped microchip laser: superposition and competition

Abstract

A double-end-pumped microchip laser is developed to investigate the superposition and competition of the Laguerre-Gassian (LG) modes. It is found that two LG modes can be directly superposed when the excited regions are well separated. Conversely, when the inversion populations have a considerable overlap, strong competition occurs between LG modes. The experimental result is generally consistent with the theoretical prediction for cylindrically symmetric class B lasers.