Passively Q-switched Nd:S-VAP laser with a Cr4+:YAG crystal saturable absorber

Abstract

With Cr4+:YAG crystal as the saturable absorber, diode- pumped compact passively Q-switched Nd:S-VAP lasers have been demonstrated using a simple two-mirror linear cavity. When CW pumped with a 1 W high-brightness laser diode, stable laser pulses of duration of 2.9 ns and energy of 13.7 (mu) J are observed with kilohertz repetition rates. The highest peak power of 4.6 kW was obtained at an incident pump power of 904 mW.