ASLD FAQ
This page provides concise technical answers to common questions about ASLD for researchers, students, engineers, and software evaluators. For detailed module descriptions, see the Description page.
Thermal and physical modeling
How does ASLD calculate thermal lensing?
ASLD uses a fast and highly accurate 3-dimensional Finite-Element Method (FEM) to model thermal and structural effects in laser crystals. The simulation includes thermal lens effects, time-dynamic temperature analysis, and mechanical effects such as strain, stress, and birefringence.
Are longitudinal diffraction effects inside the crystal planned for future development?
A transfer-matrix method for the laser beam inside the crystal may be added as part of a possible future development in laser simulation. This method would account for the influence of crystal length on beam shape through longitudinal diffraction effects.
How does crystal length affect the simulation in the current version?
Crystal dimensions such as length can be changed. However, without a transfer-matrix method, this does not affect beam-shape changes related to longitudinal diffraction effects in the current version.
Dynamic simulation and rate equations
What is Dynamic Multi-Mode Analysis (DMA)?
Dynamic Multi-Mode Analysis (DMA) is the ASLD method used to calculate output power and beam quality (M²) of laser resonators. It is based on a finite-volume discretization of the population inversion and simulates the time-dynamic behavior of high-order and low-order Gaussian modes using rate equations.
Can ASLD simulate arbitrary rate-equation systems?
Yes. ASLD can simulate the dynamic behavior of resonator modes based on arbitrary rate-equation systems. This includes co-doped materials and interionic mechanisms such as upconversion, energy transfer, and cross-relaxation. Rate equations are stored in a material database and can be extended by the user.
Can ASLD simulate optical pumping with discontinuous emission on the millisecond time scale?
Yes. This type of simulation is possible in ASLD.
Materials and pump light
Which laser materials can be modeled with ASLD?
ASLD supports laser materials such as Nd:YAG, Yb:YAG, Er:YAG, Er:glass, and Tm,Ho:YAG. The software also includes material data such as absorption spectra and temperature-dependent stimulated emission cross-sections for supported systems.
Can users add their own materials to the ASLD material database?
Yes. ASLD allows users to modify the material database and add new crystal types with their relevant material specifications.
Does ASLD account for pump-light effects?
Yes. ASLD simulates the influence of pump light on output power, beam quality, and laser stability. The simulation accounts for pump spectrum, polarization, and frequency-dependent absorption in laser crystals, and supports both diode and flash-lamp pumping, including end-pumped and side-pumped geometries.
Amplifiers and beam propagation
Can ASLD simulate laser amplifiers?
Yes. ASLD simulates the output power and gain of amplifiers and models the population inversion on a three-dimensional finite-volume grid. The software supports single-pass and double-pass amplification as well as ultra-short and chirped-pulse amplifiers.
Does ASLD support beam propagation and amplifier beam-shape analysis?
Yes. The ASLD package includes Beam Propagation Method (BPM) capabilities for amplifiers. BPM is used for amplifier beam-shape simulation including gain guiding effects, while ray tracing is used to define pump light in a user-friendly way.
Q-switch simulation
Can ASLD simulate active and passive Q-switch lasers?
Yes. ASLD supports the analysis of active and passive Q-switch lasers, including pulse energy, pulse-width, beam quality, and pulse frequency. For passive Q-switching, the software accounts for saturable absorber properties such as ground-state and excited-state absorption cross-sections.
Product access
How can I request a demo or more information?
You can request a demo version and more information by filling out the contact form on the ASLD contact page.
For an overview of ASLD methods and research background, visit the About page. For detailed module descriptions, visit the Description page. For a demo request or further information, please use the Contact page.