Abstract
This paper reports on the development of a laser stand based on a Cr:Yb:Ho:YSGG laser ( \(\lambda=2.87\) \(\mu\) m) with a pulse energy of 15 mJ and a pulse duration of 40 ns, operating in Q-switched mode. The stand is designed for measuring the radiation resistance of optical elements used at the wavelength range of 3 \(\mu\) m and for other experiments on the interaction of radiation with matter. The features of measuring the laser radiation caustics near the focal plane of a lens with \(f=50\) mm using the scanning knife-edge method with different temporal structures of the radiation pulse are discussed. The energy density on the surface of the optical element under study with a laser spot diameter of \({\approx}\) 160 \(\mu\) m can be smoothly varied within the range of \(1{-}52\) J cm \({}^{-2}\)