Accession Number:
ADA279331
Title:
Performance of a Diode-Pumped Laser Repetitively Q-Switched with a Mechanical Shutter
Descriptive Note:
Professional paper
Corporate Author:
NAVAL COMMAND CONTROL AND OCEAN SURVEILLANCE CENTER RDT AND E DIV SAN DIEGO CA
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1994-02-20
Pagination or Media Count:
12.0
Abstract:
This paper describes the repetitively Q-switched operation of an end- pumped NdYAG laser over the range of 200 H 2 to 3 kHz using an intracavity chopper. Performance is shown to be comparable to that achieved with an acousto- optic Q switch under similar conditions. The advantages and limitations of the mechanical Q switch are described. Parametric variations of output coupling and pump power lead to an extended empirical description of repetitively Q-switched laser operation. The insertion loss as a function of aperture-edge penetration into the resonator is reported, and a definition of the mechanical Q-switch opening time is provided. Q-switched pulsewidths as short as 35 ns were obtained for the NdYAG laser, with a peak power-enhancement factor in excess of 300. Lasers, Underwater communications, Fraunhofer line.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Lasers and Masers
- Acoustooptic and Optoacoustic Devices
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Optics