Observation of Ince-Gaussian modes in stable resonators

Opt Lett. 2004 Aug 15;29(16):1870-2. doi: 10.1364/ol.29.001870.

Abstract

We report what is to our knowledge the first observation of Ince-Gaussian modes directly generated in a stable resonator. By slightly breaking the symmetry of the cavity of a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser and its pump beam configuration we were able to generate single high-order Ince-Gaussian modes of high quality. The observed transverse modes have an inherent elliptic structure and exhibit remarkable agreement with theoretical predictions.