ABSTRACT
This chapter presents calculations aimed at investigating the formation of specified irradiance profiles for a YAG:Nd3+ laser. It shows the ability to form a specified irradiance output in both YAG:Nd3+ and CO2 laser resonators by means of an intracavity flexible mirror. The widespread use of lasers in technological processes highlights the problem of controlling the laser beam parameters. In general the specified laser irradiance distribution can be formed in different ways — both extracavity and intracavity. As the key element of any adaptive optical system, the flexible corrector and its properties determine the performance of the whole system. Some applications of bimorph correctors in lasers and imaging optical systems require an especially wide range of deformation and high stability of the mirror surface. The number of control electrodes on the mirrors varies from 17 to 33. The mirror surfaces were deposited with multilayer dielectric and protected silver coatings.
