Abstract The spectral output of a ruby laser may contain a large number of discrete frequencies which correspond to different allowed modes of the laser cavity. All these modes lie within the spectral line width of the laser line. It was the purpose of the present study to introduce mode selective elements into the cavity in order to reduce the number of modes in the laser beam. The approach was to build a conventional laser cavity with plane parallel mirrors and to couple a short resonant...

Preface This thesis describes investigations on experimental studies involving spectroscopic examinations of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) with various impurity concentrations, and the laser performance of a limited number of similar materials. The thesis is divided into three chapters, the first of which provides various background information on YAG. Chapter II describes the equipment and procedures used in performing the spectroscopic studies and presents the results obtained. This...