Dynamic gain induced pulse shortening in Q-switched lasers

We describe a novel mechanism of pulse shortening in a Q-switched laser induced by the gain compression effect under strong pumping conditions. The pulse shortening requires a large variation of the gain excursion during the saturation process and benefits from the large volume of the gain medium. The effect has been experimentally demonstrated using a passive Q-switched Tm/Ho-doped fiber laser that shows gain-induced pulse compression from 800 ns down to 160 ns when the pump threshold is exceeded by 15 times.