Mechanisms of radiation energy and power limitation in the amplification of ultrashort pulses in neodymium glass lasers

The energy and power of ultrashort pulses amplified in neodymium glass lasers are restricted by the nonlinear interaction between the laser radiation and the optical medium of the laser itself. In the case of nearly parallel light beams traveling across an amplifier the restrictions are due to the damage resulting from selffocusing, whereas in the case of diverging beams the restrictions are imposed by the broadening of the spectrum and the scattering of the radiation.