Self-adjusting compensating thermal lens to balance the thermally induced lens in solid-state lasers

The thermal lens is a critical issue, particularly in high-power diode-pumped solid-state laser rods. A self-adjusting scheme for compensation of the thermally induced lens is presented. The requirements for such an element and its influence on the resonator are discussed. With an appropriate compensating element and a suitable resonator design, constant beam parameters are expected to be achieved over a pump range of several kilowatts.