Pulse interval jitter of a passively and actively acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state laser

Abstract

We study the pulse interval jitter of a passively and actively acousto-optically Q-switched solidstate laser. Diffraction and birefringent acousto-optical cells are considered as active Q-switches. Analytical expressions for the pulse interval jitter of a solid-state laser are obtained. The possibilities of jitter reduction are examined.

Pulse interval jitter of a diode-pumped solid-state laser with instantaneous Q-switching of the resonator

“…For a laser with one passive Q-switch, n i depends on parameters of the passive Q-switch and the active element, as well as on R and L [7]. In the case of a laser with passive and active Q-switches in the resonator, n i = n p τ [8]. Third, the factor β of spontaneous emission depends on many parameters of the laser and needs additional study.…”

“…The pulse interval jitter of the solid-state lasers due to random variations in the time of Q-switching of the resonator, which are caused by fluctuations of the diode-pump power, lasing threshold, density of the inverse population of the active element and other system parameters, is studied in [6][7][8]. Analyzing the jitter of T , it was assumed in those works that the lasing pulse starts at the time of Q-switching in the resonator, i.e., when the inverse density in the active element is equal to the threshold density [6][7][8].…”

“…Analyzing the jitter of T , it was assumed in those works that the lasing pulse starts at the time of Q-switching in the resonator, i.e., when the inverse density in the active element is equal to the threshold density [6][7][8]. The influence of the quantum fluctuations of spontaneous emission on the lasing onset after the Q-switching and, therefore, on the pulse period jitter was not studied in [6][7][8]. However, it is exactly these fluctuations that make the main contribution to the pulse interval jitter if the pulses are excited by instantaneous Q-switching of the resonator [9].…”