Intracavity adaptive optics. 2: Tilt correction performance.

This paper continues the discussion of the detailed experimental study conducted on adaptive optical control methodologies inside a laser resonator.(1) In this paper we discuss the experimental results for the correction of tilt within a laser resonator utilizing a multidither zonal COAT system. The tilt aberration was introduced in three different ways: (1) static tilt was introduced while the COAT system was open loop and then the control loop closed, (2) static tilt was incrementally introduced while the COAT system control loop was closed loop (denoted as continuously closed loop), and (3) dynamic tilt was applied while the COAT system's control loop was closed. Experimental data are presented on the correction capability of the COAT system for each method of introduction of tilt over a large range of tilt angles and control loop configurations (open/ closed and continuously closed). Limitations of the system are discussed, and design recommendations and conclusions are provided.