Characteristics of formation of the angular distribution of radiation from a solid-state laser controlled by a passive switch with an initial transmission variable over the aperture

The reduction in the angular divergence of radiation from a YAG:Nd laser by a profiled switch was found to be associated with lasing of different parts of the end of the active element at different times. In the case of smooth inhomogeneities this reduced the inhomogeneity gradients in the lasing region, compared with the inhomogeneity over the whole cross section of the active element, and in the case of a crystal medium with strong light scattering, it also reduced the intensities of the wings of the angular distribution.