Er,Yb:GdAB/Co:MALO Passively Q-Switched Monolithic Laser

Abstract

Nowadays eye-safe lasers emitting at 1.5–1.6 μιη spectral range find applications in LIDAR systems. These applications require compact and reliable pulsed laser sources with low power consumption for integration into handheld devices. For LIDAR systems application laser pulses should be of high output beam quality to have good image resolution, short pulse duration to ensure high accuracy, enough high pulse energy to attain long-distance detection, and high pulse repetition rates to achieve high speed of scanning. Longitudinally diode-pumped lasers based on aluminium oxoborate crystals REAl 3 (BO 3 ) 4 (RE = Y, Gd, Lu) co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions combine appropriate properties of output radiation and suitable overall dimensions that makes their application useful for compact LIDAR systems [1]. Here we report on optical contact bonded Er,Yb:GdAl 3 (BO 3 ) 4 /Co:MgAl 2 O 4 passively Q-switched monolithic 1.5 μm laser with short pulse duration.