Investigation of the inversion in an amplifier module utilizing an active element with rectangular cross section

The characteristics were investigated of an amplifier with a rectangular active element made of neodymium glass, of dimensions 40×240×720 mm. Results are given of gain measurements of the inversion distribution over the cross section of the active element. A short analysis of the results, assuming monochromatic plane pumping, points the way to further optimization of the amplifier characteristics. The results of the investigation show that the amplifier considered shows promise for use in the output stages of higb power lasers.