Kaleidoscope modes in large aperture Porro prism resonators

Abstract

The authors apply a new method of modeling Porro prism resonators, using the concept of rotating loss screens, to study stable and unstable Porro prism resonator. They show that the previously observed petal–like modal output is in fact only the lowest order mode, and reveal that a variety of kaleidoscope beam modes will be produced by these resonators when the intra–cavity apertures are sufficiently large to allow higher order modes to oscillate. Also showing that only stable resonators will produce these modes