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A highly efficient graphene oxide absorber for Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 lasers
Yong Gang Wang1, Hou Ren Chen, Xiao Ming Wen
1Research Center for Applied Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. chinawygxjw@hotmail.com
Nanotechnology
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Graphene oxide (GO) serves as an efficient saturable absorber for Q-switched lasers. This novel, low-cost GO absorber achieved 104 ns pulses and 1.22 W average output power in an Nd:GdVO4 laser system.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Saturable absorbers are crucial for passive Q-switching in lasers.
- Graphene oxide (GO) has shown promise as a saturable absorber material due to its unique optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a novel, low-cost graphene oxide (GO) saturable absorber for a Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser.
- To fabricate and characterize a GO-based passive component for laser applications.
Main Methods:
- A graphene oxide (GO) absorber was fabricated using a vertical evaporation technique with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
- A sandwich structure comprising the GO/PVA absorber, quartz, and an output coupler was assembled.
- The performance of the Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser using the GO/PVA saturable absorber was evaluated.
Main Results:
- The fabricated GO/PVA absorber functioned effectively in a Q-switched Nd:GdVO4 laser.
- The laser generated pulses with a duration of 104 nanoseconds (ns).
- An average output power of 1.22 W was achieved, with a maximum pulse energy of 2 µJ and a slope efficiency of 17%.
Conclusions:
- Graphene oxide (GO) is a highly efficient and cost-effective saturable absorber for Q-switched lasers.
- The vertical evaporation technique provides a viable method for fabricating GO-based saturable absorbers.
- The developed GO/PVA saturable absorber demonstrates potential for practical laser applications.
