Gain-switched Ho:YAG laser with a 3.35-ns pulse duration

This paper presents a gain-switched Ho:YAG laser at 2090 nm, pumped by a passively Q switched Tm:YLF. A pulse duration of 3.35 ns is achieved with a pulse energy of 0.7 mJ at 1.3-kHz repetition rate, corresponding to 209-kW peak power. The pump energy is 2.8 mJ, corresponding to 25% conversion efficiency with 37% slope efficiency. This laser performance with its compact design can be implemented in applications that require short pulse durations that have not been addressed to date.