Actively Q-switched Tb:LiYF4 green lasers

Abstract

In this work we have developed, for the first time to our knowledge, an actively Q-switched Tb:LiYF4 laser with emission directly into the green spectral region at 544 nm. Using an acousto-optical modulator, the laser delivered an average power of 445 mW at 3 kHz repetition rate for an incident pump power of 3 W at 488 nm. The laser pulse energy and the pulse duration were measured to be 148 μJ and 190 ns, respectively, indicating a pulse peak power of 580 W with output transmittance of 10%. The laser could be operated up to a repetition rate of 16 kHz with output transmittance of 2%.