Spatial averaging of the gain in solid-state active elements

A method for improving the homogeneity of the distribution of the intensity of the output radiation from lasers by spatial averaging of the gain over the cross section of the active element is proposed. This method utilizes a laser head in which the active element and the flashlamp inside a reflecting illumination enclosure are tilted. The local intensity maxima in the cross section of the output radiation beams of YSGG:Cr:Nd and YAG:Nd crystal lasers can be reduced considerably by this method.