Polarization Problems of Parallel Plate Lasers

Parallel plate laser technology requires that the plasma envelope and particularly the Brewster windows be “hard sealed.” The first part of this study reports the effects of misalignments of the Brewster windows on laser performance. This turned out not to be a serious problem. In the second part the increase in the birefringence of the Brewster windows resulting from the hard seal technique is examined. We found that this problem, which is serious, can be eliminated by careful control of the temperature during sealing and the annealing process.