Nonlinear generation of a neat semi-Gaussian laser beam with a transversely varying periodically-poled LiTaO3 crystal.

We experimentally demonstrate a compact, all-solid-state 532 nm semi-Gaussian laser beam (SGB) source based on a 1064 nm laser and a transversely varying periodically-poled LiTaO3 (TPPLT) crystal as the laser beam shaper as well as the nonlinear frequency converter. We have used the designed TPPLT crystal to obtain a neat 532nm SGB with the quality of QSGB=1:17.5 by a single-pass second harmonic generation. The dependence of the generated SGB quality on the designed TPPLT parameter and the potential applications of the neat SGB are also discussed.