Formation of a laser beam with a uniform intensity distribution utilizing an intracavity inhomogeneous beam splitter

A description is given of a method for the formation of non-Gaussian light beams with a uniform intensity distribution, based on coupling of radiation out of a resonator by an inhomogeneously reflecting plate. The influence of a phase inhomogeneity of such a plate on the efficiency of coupling out of the energy is found. Experiments on an He–Ne laser beam produced a near-uniform intensity profile with up to 85–90% of the original beam power and a homogeneous load in the form of the fundamental mode.