Abstract

A theoretical model for the laser-induced thermal lens effect in weakly absorbing media is derived. The model predicts the intensity variation in the far field of the laser beam in the presence of the lensing medium and takes into account the aberrant nature of the thermal lens. Some experimental results which support the validity of this approach are presented.

© 1982 Optical Society of America

Comparison of models describing the thermal lens effect

Christine A. Carter and Joel M. Harris
Appl. Opt. 23(3) 476-481 (1984)

Pulsed mode thermal lens effect detection in the near field via thermally induced probe beam spatial phase modulation: a theory

J. F. Power
Appl. Opt. 29(1) 52-63 (1990)

Model for continuous-wave laser-induced thermal lens spectrometry of optically transparent surface-absorbing solids

Dmitry A. Nedosekin, Mikhail A. Proskurnin, and Mikhail Yu. Kononets
Appl. Opt. 44(29) 6296-6306 (2005)

Studies on the diffraction image of a thermal lens

Frank Jürgensen and Wolffram Schröer
Appl. Opt. 34(1) 41-50 (1995)

Radial thermal gradients occurring in the bimodal atmospheric guided energy laser scheme: a theoretical study

Neal A. Hauser and Christopher C. Davis
Appl. Opt. 21(18) 3384-3392 (1982)