A CW YAG-ND3+ LASER WITH ACOUSTO-ELECTROOPTIC Q-SWITCHING

Mechanical resonances of geometrically regular samples of DKDP crystal have been studied. It is established that the resonances are formed in the conditions of strong coupling between acoustic and shear modes of the crystal. An electric field of less than 5 V is found to be sufficient for producing the half-wave deformation of the crystal at lambda = 630 nm in the resonance range. On the basis of the obtained results an acousto-electrooptic switch of laser radiation is suggested. Compatibility of the switch with a continuously pumped YAG laser has been tested experimentally. The periodic-pulse regime has been realized with a stable repetition period. lt is demonstrated that in this regime the acousto-electrooptic switch is not inferior in terms of efficiency to an acousto-optic switch.