Finite Beams in Reflective Volume Bragg Gratings: Theory and Experiments

We present a theoretical model to describe finite beams incident on reflective volume Bragg gratings. We also give experimental results that verify our model. From these results, we identify certain properties of reflective volume Bragg gratings, such as beam waist, incidence angle and beam profile, that have direct impact on the design of laser cavities that include such gratings. We also show how these gratings can act as spatial mode filters.