Experimental analysis of a continuously pumped, repetitively Q-switched Nd/YAG laser

Abstract

The threshold operation and performance of a high pulse repetition frequency Nd/YAG laser are discussed. A rotating mirror Q-switch was used, and detailed studies of the variation of Q-switched threshold with motor frequency, and of the pulse build-up time with input power have been carried out. The results indicate that the switching angle varies with mirror reflectivity but is practically independent of resonator length. The latter is attributed to thermal lens action in the laser rod modifying the nominally plane parallel resonator configuration thereby leading to a spherical configuration. Under these conditions, the switching angle becomes independent of resonator length, but depends strongly on the “induced” focal length of the lens (laser rod). The degrading effect on the Q-switched laser performance of the mis-match at the laser rod surfaces is then discussed and finally the conditions for achieving maximum energy output in a single pulse are derived and experimentally verified.