Modeling of the self-sum-frequency mixing laser

A theoretical model of the self-sum-frequency mixing (self-SFM) laser gener ated by a single crystal is proposed in which the spatial distribution of t he pump and circulating fundamental lasers with arbitrary beam waists is ta ken into account. The model is then applied to two kinds of crystal of curr ent interest, Nd:YAl3(BO3)(4) and Nd:Ca4GdO(BO3)(3). Numerical analyses of the self-SFM laser's properties predict and confirm some experimental resul ts. Several ways to improve the self-SFM laser output are discussed and con cluded. The model not only is applicable to self-SFM lasers but is also eff ective for general analyses of fundamental or nonlinear laser generation wi th Gaussian beams. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.