All solid state mode-locked flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG laser system with selectable pulse duration was developed based on the oscillator where a single semiconductor structure containing a multiple-quantum-well was used as a saturable absorber for mode-locking, and energy limiter for passive negative feedback. Single pulse selection from various parts of extended 200 ns long Q-switched pulse train enables the changing of pulse duration before entering into three stages of laser amplifiers. Using of additional acousto-optic mode-locker, stability enhancement of the output pulses was obtained and the amplitude fluctuations were reduced below 5%. The exploitation of the solid state saturable absorber and limiter integrated in the single element improved significantly the long term characteristics of the laser system which can be therefore used for various applications as a satellite laser ranging, spectroscopy, or medicine.

Date Published: 27 April 2005
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 5707, Solid State Lasers XIV: Technology and Devices, (27 April 2005); doi: 10.1117/12.589051

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5707:
Solid State Lasers XIV: Technology and Devices
Hanna J. Hoffman; Ramesh K. Shori, Editor(s)