Single-mode high-peak-power passively Q-switched diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Passively Q-switched lasers offer compact and efficient solutions.
• Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd:YAG) is a widely used laser medium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an efficient, compact, passively Q-switched single-mode diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser.
• To investigate the performance of Cr(4+):YAG as a saturable absorber in such lasers.
• To compare linear and ring cavity configurations for optimal laser output.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped Nd:YAG laser system.
• Employed Cr(4+):YAG crystals as saturable absorbers for passive Q-switching.
• Implemented both linear and ring cavity configurations.
• Measured pulse energy and pulse width characteristics.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient, compact, single-mode laser operation.
• Demonstrated successful passive Q-switching using Cr(4+):YAG.
• Linear cavity: 1.5mJ pulse energy, 3.9ns pulse width.
• Ring cavity: 2.1mJ pulse energy, 12ns pulse width.

Conclusions:

• Cr(4+):YAG is an effective saturable absorber for diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers.
• Both linear and ring cavities can produce high-quality laser pulses.
• The ring cavity configuration yielded higher pulse energy in this study.