Open AccessHighly efficient Q-switched laser operation of Yb:Y_3Ga_5O_12 garnet crystal
Author(s) -
Junhai Liu,
Xuemin Tian,
Kui Wu,
Qibiao Dai,
Wenjuan Han,
Huaijin Zhang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.002624
Subject(s) - materials science , optics , saturable absorption , pulse duration , q switching , laser , crystal (programming language) , pulse width modulation , pulse (music) , pulse repetition frequency , power (physics) , optoelectronics , fiber laser , physics , telecommunications , detector , radar , quantum mechanics , computer science , programming language
We demonstrate, for the first time, passively Q-switched laser operation of Yb:Y(3)Ga(5)O(12) garnet crystal. An output power of 4.53 W at 1031 nm was generated at a pulse repetition rate of 55.6 kHz, with a Cr(4+):YAG crystal acting as saturable absorber whose initial transmission was 97.5%, the corresponding pulse energy, duration and peak power were respectively 81.5 μJ, 28.5 ns and 2.86 kW. Laser pulses at a lower repetition rate of 18.2 kHz were also achieved at 1025 nm while the initial transmission of the Cr(4+):YAG crystal was 85.0%, with an output power measured to be 2.56 W, the resulting pulse energy, duration, and peak power being 140.8 μJ, 5.9 ns, and 23.9 kW, respectively.