Dependence of the Non-Linear Refractive Index on the Optical Parameters of Laser and Optical Glasses for Powerful High-Energy Pulse Radiation Amplifiers

Abstract—The influence of the refractive index, dispersion coefficient, and average dispersion on the non-linear refractive index (NRI) of athermal neodymium laser glasses for active elements of high-power pulsed radiation amplifiers (PRAs) and athermal optical glasses is studied. It is shown that the NRI of the studied glasses does not exceed 1.18 × 10^–13 cm²/V², as long as their refractive index in the green (yellow) spectral region is not higher than 1.54, the dispersion coefficient is not less than 64, and the average dispersion is not higher than 0.0082. When these conditions are met, athermal laser and optical glasses can be used in the construction of high-power PRAs. It is suggested that athermal phosphate crowns can serve as a base for obtaining neodymium glasses with a low NRI.