Q-switch techniques of CO_2 laser

Abstract

Short-pulse CO2laser has significant applications in many fields such as laser ranging,environmental detection,space communication and laser interaction with matter.Q-switch techniques are important approach for generating short-pulse CO2laser and have been extensively studied by researchers.Main Q-switch techniques for CO2laser are reviewed in this paper,including mechanical Q-switch,electro-optically Qswitch,acousto-optically Q-switch,passively Q-switch and double Q-switch.The key technical points and problems of each Q-switch technique are summarized and analyzed.In addition,the tendencies of Q-switch techniques for CO2laser are proposed.