Theoretical and experimental study of a diode-pumped doubly Q-switched Nd:GdVO 4 1.34 μm laser with acousto-optic (AO) modulator and V 3+:YAG saturable absorber

Abstract

A diode-pumped doubly Q-switched c-cut Nd:GdVO 4 laser at 1.34 μm with acousto-optic (AO) modulator and V 3+:YAG saturable absorber is demonstrated. This doubly Q-switched laser can generate shorter pulse width and higher peak power than the singly Q-switched laser only with an AO modulator or a V 3+:YAG saturable absorber. By considering the thermal lens effect of the laser gain medium, the coupled rate equations for the doubly Q-switched laser at 1.34 μm under Gaussian approximation are given. The numerical solutions of the equations are in agreement with the experimental results.