Nonuniform pumped passively Q-switched laser using Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite crystal with high-pulse energy

A Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite crystal passively Q-switched laser with high-output pulse energy is studied both theoretically and experimentally. According to the characteristics of flash lamp pump, the rate equations of nonuniform pump are established. The pulse interval, pulse energy, and pulse width of the output pulse train are analyzed accurately by nonuniform pump. The experimental parameters are optimized by numerical simulation, with Cr4+ : YAG saturable absorber initial transmittance of 14%, output coupling mirror reflectivity of 30%, and cavity length of 9.7 cm. Under the same conditions, the maximum static energy is 954.34 mJ without Q-switch. An output pulse train with four pulses can be obtained at the same pump condition in experimental study. The four pulses energy are 156.5, 151, 149.74, and 145.76 mJ in turn with corresponding intervals of 20.81, 24.16, and 46.03 mu s. The average pulse width is 5.72 ns. The Q-switch efficiency is 63.2%. The energy of the four pulses decreases, the pulse interval increases, and the pulse width is basically unchanged. The non-uniform pump theoretical and experimental results are in good agreement. (C) 2019 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)