Subnanosecond pulse generation from diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state lasers

Abstract

Miniature diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state lasers deliver pulse durations as short as 600 ps at wavelengths near 1 µm. Specifically, Nd:YVO(4) lasers operating at 1.064 µm produce 600-ps/5-kW pulses at 1 kHz, 1.0-ns/2-kW pulses at 20 kHz, and 1.9-ns/0.5-kW pulses at 100 kHz. A Nd:YLF laser at 1.047 µm generates 700-ps/15-kW pulses at 1 kHz, and 1.2-ns/4-kW pulses at 10 kHz. At 1.342 µm, a Nd:YVO(4) laser produces 3.3-ns/0.8-0.6-kW pulses at 1-10 kHz.

Doubly Q-switched laser with electric-optic modulator and GaAs saturable absorber

“…This kind of laser can be realized by using a laser gain medium and single active or passive Q-switching technique [1][2][3][4]. Passive Q-switching can be realized by employing a saturable absorber such as Cr 4+ :YAG, GaAs, etc.…”

Optimization of Doubly<tex>$Q$</tex>-switched Lasers With Both an Acoustic-Optic Modulator and a Cr<tex>$^4+$</tex>-Doped Saturable Absorber

“…Generally speaking, this kind of laser can be realized by active or passive -switching technique. Acoustic-optic (AO) modulator [1] is widely used as the active -switch and Cr -doped saturable-absorbers, such as Cr :YAG [2], Cr :YSO [3], etc, are often used as the passive -switches. Actively -switched lasers with AO modulator can obtain stable pulse train output with high peak power and wide pulse duration.…”

CW‐LD pumped acousto‐optic Q‐switched Nd:YVO4 laser

“…It has a simple structure, and high average power and efficiency. It is widely used in laser sensors, radar, optic communications, and so on [1][2][3]. Nd:YVO 4 crystal has more advantages than other materials [4,5].…”

“…Although microstrip patch antennas with a microstrip-feed network are widely used because of their low fabrication cost, they have serious problems in millimeter-wave large-array applications, such as large feed-line loss and gain degradation [1]. In contrast, slottedwaveguide array antennas have low loss and high efficiency, but high fabrication costs [2].…”