Abstract
A compact, passively Q-switched and mode-locked Nd:YAP laser in oscillator-amplifier configuration was designed and constructed. Operation wavelength switching (between 1.34 and 1.08 mm) was achieved with a three-mirror cavity and mechanical shutter. For Q switch- ing and mode locking of the 1.34-mm Nd:YAP laser transition, a V 31 -doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) saturable absorber was em- ployed. The optimal performance was found after variation of the reso- nator length (40 to 100 cm) and of the absorber initial transmission (52% to 89%). The duration of a single pulse in a train was around 1 ns. The saturation intensity of the V 31 :YAG absorber was determined to be 10 MW/cm 2 . A BDN II polymer thin-film saturable absorber was used forQ switching the 1.08-mm laser transition. After amplification, the maximum output energy reached was 27 mJ (train of mode-locked pulses at 1.34 mm) or 94 mJ (Q-switched pulse at 1.08 mm). The output laser radiation was delivered by means of a hollow glass waveguide coated with cyclic olefin polymer and Ag, with 95% and 80% efficiencies for 1.34 and 1.08 mm, respectively. © 2002 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
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