Influence of the radial inhomogeneity of the gain and losses on the giant-pulse emission from lasers with passive switches

An experimental investigation was made of the radial inhomogeneity of the gain and losses, which was one of of the factors reducing the efficiency of the giant-pulse lasers with passive switches. Passive switches with a radial variation of the transmission were suggested and developed. Such switches made it possible to equalize the losses and the gain for rays passing through any point in a transverse section of the active rod. The optimal distribution of the transmission in these switches was determined for ruby rods with lateral surfaces in different states. The use of such Q switches made it possible to increase considerably the laser output power and efficiency.