Dynamic wavefront correction of Nd:YAG lasers by self-pumped phase conjugation in photorefractive BaTiO/sub 3/:Rh

We present an overview of the results we obtained with photorefractive BaTiO/sub 3/:Rh in which self-pumped phase conjugation is performed to compensate for dynamic aberrations in Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers. Characterization of the material at 1.06 /spl mu/m with both cw and nanosecond illumination is detailed. Oxidation of the crystals is proposed to decrease the photorefractive rise time at the expense of absorption. Then an optimized compact ring phase conjugate mirror with high reflectivity and fidelity and a short rise time is described. Finally, such a solid-state mirror is introduced into Q-switched Nd:YAG master oscillator-power amplifier laser sources and provides a diffraction limited beam.