Diode-pumped passively Q-switched self-frequency-doubled Nd:CNGS laser

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Solid-State Lasers
• Nonlinear Optics

Background:

• Development of miniature all-solid-state visible light sources is crucial for various applications.
• Self-frequency-doubled (SFD) lasers offer a compact solution for generating visible light.
• Passively Q-switched lasers provide high peak power pulses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate, for the first time, a passively Q-switched self-frequency-doubled (SFD) laser utilizing a trigonal Nd:Ca3NbGa3Si2O14 (Nd:CNGS) silicate crystal.
• To investigate the performance characteristics of this novel SFD laser system.
• To develop and validate a rate-equation model for the passively Q-switched SFD laser.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Cr4+:YAG crystal as a saturable absorber for passive Q-switching.
• Employed a trigonal Nd:CNGS silicate crystal as the gain medium for self-frequency doubling.
• Experimental characterization of output power, pulse repetition frequency, single pulse energy, pulse duration, and peak power at 532 nm.
• Development of a theoretical rate-equation model to simulate laser performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum average output power of 16.2 mW at 532 nm.
• Observed a pulse repetition frequency of 2.25 kHz.
• Measured a single pulse energy of 7.2 μJ.
• Recorded a pulse duration of 13.7 ns and a peak power of 0.53 kW.
• Demonstrated good agreement between the experimental results and the developed rate-equation model.

Conclusions:

• The trigonal Nd:CNGS silicate crystal is a promising material for self-frequency-doubled applications.
• The demonstrated passively Q-switched SFD laser is suitable for miniature all-solid-state visible light sources.
• The developed rate-equation model accurately predicts the behavior of such lasers.