Modeling the temporal-pulse-shape dynamics of an actively stabilized regenerative amplifier [OMEGA Nd:YLF laser rod]

We have modeled the temporal evolution of a shaped optical pulse injected into a feedback-stabilized regenerative amplifier (regen). We solve the coupled-rate and energy-transport equations including upper- and lower-laser-level lifetimes explicitly. The regen dynamics including the losses due to the feedback stabilizer are included in the model. We provide a prescription for determining the injection-pulse shape required to produce a given output-pulse shape from this regen. The model shows excellent agreement with the measured regen output.