InAs/GaAs quantum-dot saturable absorbers for diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd-doped 1.3-microm lasers

A low-loss semiconductor saturable absorber based on InAs/GaAs quantum dots was developed for Q switching of a diode-pumped Nd-doped laser operating at 1.3 microm. With an InAs/GaAs quantum-dot saturable absorber, a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser at 1342 nm was achieved. With an incident pump power of 2.2 W, an average output power of 360 mW with a Q-switched pulse width of 90 ns at a pulse repetition rate of 770 kHz was obtained.