Thermal depolarization of optical radiation in a laser active element made of GSGG:Cr3+:Nd3+ crystal

Investigations were made of the thermal depolarization in a gadolinium scandium gallium garnet (GSGG) crystal doped with neodymium and chromium. It was found that at average optical pump powers higher than 250–300 W, inhomogeneities of the active medium make a substantial contribution to the thermal depolarization. A method is proposed for the control of the thermal depolarization by additional heating of the active element.