Passively Q-switched Pr:YLF laser with a Co²⁺:MgAl₂O₄ saturable absorber

Area of Science:

• Laser Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Praseodymium-doped lasers (Pr3+) are known for their potential to emit in the visible spectrum.
• Passively Q-switched lasers offer advantages in generating high-peak-power pulses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the performance of a 2ω-OPSL-pumped passively Q-switched Pr3+:LiYF4 laser.
• To explore the use of a Co2+-doped MgAl2O4 (MALO) crystal as a novel saturable absorber in the visible range.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Pr3+:LiYF4 gain medium pumped by a 2ω-OPSL.
• Employed a Co2+-doped MgAl2O4 (MALO) crystal as a saturable absorber.
• Performed absorption saturation measurements to determine optical properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved laser operation at 523 nm, 607 nm, and 640 nm.
• Obtained a minimum pulse duration of 87 ns with a pulse energy of 8.6 μJ at 607 nm.
• Reached a maximum Q-switched average laser power of 1.4 W with a slope efficiency of 47% at 640 nm.
• Determined ground and excited state absorption cross sections for the Co:MALO crystal.

Conclusions:

• The Co:MALO crystal is a viable and effective saturable absorber for visible range passively Q-switched lasers.
• This work demonstrates a new approach for efficient visible laser generation using Pr3+:LiYF4 and Co:MALO.