Compact picosecond Nd:glass mode-locked laser with variable cavity length from 5 to 21 m

The design, performance, and characteristics of a compact mode-locked laser with effective cavity length from 5 to 21 m is described. The overall size of the laser is 1.7 m. Pulse-to-pulse spacing of ~35-140 ns is obtained. The laser parameters of energy, number of pulses, length of train, and stability of the cavity are described. The stability zone for the cavity is calculated using the matrix method. The pulse duration was measured to be 10 ps for the early pulses in the train using a streak camera system.