Passively Q-switched Yb3+:NaY(WO4)2 laser with GaAs saturable absorber

Passively Q-switched Yb(3+):NaY(WO(4))(2) lasers have been demonstrated using a GaAs saturable absorber. Under continuous wave pump mode, significant pulse shortening effects have been observed at high pump powers. At a pump power of 12 W, stable Q-switched output has been obtained with a pulse duration of 5 ns, pulse repetition rate of 83 kHz and a pulse to pulse timing jitter of less than 2%. With pulsed pump mode, much longer pulse duration and reduced pulse stability have been observed. It is proposed that the heating of GaAs may play an important role in the Q-switched operations under CW pump conditions.