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We propose a new method for achieving simultaneous operation of laser mode locking and the Q-switch technique using only a single acousto-optic modulator (AOM) with a traveling wave; this AOM was placed inside the cavity of a green-emission Nd:YAG laser. The further shortening of the lasing pulse duration from 40 ps to less than 3.25 ps was obtained by the formation of a Kerr lens in a doubling-frequency crystal. At average output power of 1.5 W and pulse repetition rate of the Q-switch equal to 2 kHz, the peak power in a steady-operating laser exceeded 50 MW.

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We present results on parametric superluminescence in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal pumped by a train of 45 ps pulses using a Q-switched mode locked Nd:YAG laser. The conversion efficiency (with respect to the absorbed power) was ~83%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest efficiency obtained with powerful superluminescent parametric sources. At the average pumping power of the laser of ~0.5 W and repetition rates of 1 and 1.7 kHz, the peak total output powers were as high as 210 and 200 kW, and the powers of the idler wavelength (3.82 µm) were 55 and 50 kW. New lines in the visible and UV spectrum were observed and are explained. The experiments demonstrated that the spectral and angular characteristics of superluminescence are determined by the pumping laser. In particular, the line width of the signal wave was close to that of the pumping line at ~200 GHz, and the divergence of the signal and idler waves depended only on the convergence (divergence) angle of the pumping radiation (30 mrad) and was independent of the wavelength.

The influence of the supersonic transverse flow of atoms on properties of a high-current, low-pressure discharge is investigated for the first time. Such a discharge is used in particular, in powerful CW ion lasers. The theory of the discharge of this type is suggested. The equations for the electric field and the density profiles of atoms and ions in plasma were obtained and solved analytically. The flow velocity, temperatures and radial intensity distributions of the spontaneous emission of ArI and ArII were measured. It was shown both theoretically and experimentally that, unlike the discharge in a motionless gas, the distributions became asymmetric. Moreover, the ion density maximum was displaced with respect to the discharge axis opposite the flow, while in a high-pressure discharge the charged particles are carried away with the flow.