Efficient high-energy passively Q-switched Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3 laser

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics and Photonics
• Materials Science
• Solid-State Lasers

Background:

• High-pulse-energy lasers are crucial for applications in materials processing, nonlinear optics, and spectroscopy.
• Diode-pumped solid-state lasers offer advantages in efficiency, compactness, and beam quality.
• Ytterbium-doped materials are attractive for their broad emission bandwidth and low quantum defect.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a compact, diode-pumped Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3 laser.
• To achieve high pulse energy and peak power using passive Q-switching.
• To investigate the performance characteristics of this novel laser system.

Main Methods:

• A compact diode-pumped laser cavity was designed and constructed.
• Ytterbium-doped Gadolinium Calcium Oxyborate (Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3) crystal was used as the gain medium.
• Passive Q-switching was achieved using a Cr(4+):YAG saturable absorber at room temperature.

Main Results:

• An output power of 1.05 W was achieved at a pulse repetition rate of 2.5 kHz.
• A slope efficiency of 40% was determined with absorbed pump power of 7.7 W.
• Laser pulses with 10.0 ns duration, 420 μJ pulse energy, and 42 kW peak power were generated.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3 laser is a compact and efficient source of high-pulse-energy radiation.
• Passive Q-switching with Cr(4+):YAG is effective for generating nanosecond pulses.
• This laser system shows promise for applications requiring high peak power.