A visual mean
to see if a cavity is stable, is to
send
laser beam from certain point inside the cavity, to specific directions.
First the cavity parameters
must be defined (Mirror radius and cavity length).
For each mirror, a small triangle
on the cavity axis marks the center of curvature of that mirror.
It is possible to choose a plane mirror, by clicking on the sign of
infinity, which mark an infinite radius of curvature for that mirror.
To se how the beam advances, the starting point and the direction
of the beam must be defined.
The starting point of the beam
is marked by clicking the left button of the mouse.
The starting direction of the
beam is marked by clicking the right button of the mouse.
The computer calculates the beam path, and it is immediately seen if
the beam remains inside the cavity, or hit the walls, and vanish (absorbed
by the cavity walls).
To check the output beam from the laser, it is possible to change the
reflection coefficient of one of the mirrors (output coupler).
It is possible to determine the number of reflection of the beam from
the mirrors (in case it is not exiting first), by choosing a number between
1 and 400.
Activities: