High-performance cavity-dumped Q-switched Alexandrite laser CW diode-pumped in double-pass configuration.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Technology
• Remote Sensing

Background:

• Alexandrite lasers are valuable for various applications, including Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR).
• High repetition rates and pulse energies are crucial for advanced LIDAR systems.
• Diode-pumping offers efficiency and compactness in laser design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance, diode-pumped Alexandrite laser for LIDAR.
• To achieve high repetition rates and record pulse energies.
• To investigate the laser's stability and temperature-dependent performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cavity-dumped Q-switched operation in a continuous-wave diode-pumped Alexandrite laser.
• Employed a double-pass pump configuration to generate short pulses.
• Investigated laser performance across repetition frequencies from 1 kHz to 20 kHz.
• Conducted stability tests over 150 million shots and analyzed crystal temperature effects.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated short pulses (2.8 ns) at repetition rates up to 20 kHz.
• Achieved a record pulse energy exceeding 500 µJ at 755 nm and 5 kHz in TEM₀₀ mode.
• Showcased excellent stability with no degradation over 150 million shots at 350 µJ and 5 kHz.

Conclusions:

• The developed Alexandrite laser meets the demanding requirements for advanced LIDAR applications.
• The laser's high pulse energy, repetition rate, and stability represent a significant advancement.
• Understanding crystal temperature effects is vital for optimizing performance in diverse operating conditions.