Solving an eigenvalue problem in laser simulation
In this thesis a new and powerful approach for modeling laser cavity eigenmodes is presented. This approach is based on an eigenvalue problem for singularly perturbed partial differential operators with complex coefficients; such operators have not been investigated in detail until now. The eigenvalue problem is discretized by finite elements, and convergence of the approximate solution is proved by using an abstract convergence theory also developed in this dissertation. This theory for the convergence of an approximate solution of a (quadratic) eigenvalue problem, which particularly can be applied to a finite element discretization, is interesting on its own, since the ideas can conceivably be used to handle equations with a more complex nonlinearity. The discretized eigenvalue problem essentially is solved by preconditioned GMRES, where the preconditioner is constructed according to the underlying physics of the problem. The power and correctness of the new approach for computing laser cavity eigenmodes is clearly demonstrated by successfully simulating a variety of different cavity configurations. The thesis is organized as follows: Chapter 1 contains a short overview on solving the so-called Helmholtz equation with the help of finite elements. The main part of Chapter 2 is dedicated to the analysis of a one-dimensional model problem containing the main idea of a new model for laser cavity eigenmodes which is derived in detail in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 comprises a convergence theory for the approximate solution of quadratic eigenvalue problems. In Chapter 5, a stabilized finite element discretization of the new model is described and its convergence is proved by applying the theory of Chapter 4. Chapter 6 contains computational aspects of solving the resulting system of equations and, finally, Chapter 7 presents numerical results for various configurations, demonstrating the practical relevance of our new approach.
Lasersimulation, Eigenmode, singulär gestörtes Problem, Finite Elemente, Konvergenz bei quadratischem Eigenwertproblem, laser simulation, singularly perturbed problem, finite elements, convergence for quadratic eigenvalue problems
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