Thermal stresses and end-bulging in the laser disc from a tetragonal crystal: the case of LiYF4.

Analytical solution of the thermal stress–strain problem is presented for discs from a-cut and c-cut tetragonal crystals with a point group 4, or 4/m. Thermal stresses, strains and displacements, as well as the contribution of the end-bulging to the optical power of the thermal lens are calculated for the discs from Tm:LiYF₄. The stress fracture issues are also analyzed for this crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]