Monolithic self-Q-switched Cr,Nd:YAG laser.

Area of Science:

• Laser physics
• Solid-state lasers
• Nonlinear optics

Background:

• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers are crucial for various applications.
• Q-switching is a technique to achieve high peak power laser pulses.
• Simultaneous lasing and saturable absorption in a single gain medium is desirable for compact laser systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the operation of a diode-pumped monolithic self-Q-switched chromium, neodymium: YAG (Cr,Nd:YAG) laser.
• To investigate the characteristics of laser emission at 1064 nm.
• To explore the potential for frequency doubling to the green spectrum.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a diode-pumped monolithic Cr,Nd:YAG laser.
• Employed codoped ions (Cr and Nd) to create saturable absorption for Q-switching.
• Measured pulse duration, peak power, polarization extinction ratio, and intensity fluctuations.
• Incorporated a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal for second-harmonic generation.

Main Results:

• Achieved self-Q-switched Nd(3+) laser emission at 1064 nm with a 3.5 ns pulse duration and 2 kW peak power.
• Obtained linearly polarized output with a high extinction ratio (600:1) and low pulse-to-pulse intensity fluctuation (<0.25%).
• Generated 2 ns pulses at 532 nm with 30% peak power conversion efficiency via frequency doubling.

Conclusions:

• The Cr,Nd:YAG laser system effectively operates in a self-Q-switched mode.
• The monolithic design offers compact and stable laser operation.
• The demonstrated frequency doubling capability highlights the potential for efficient green light generation.