Comparative Performance of Passively Q-Switched Diode-Pumped Yb 3+-Doped Tungstate and Garnet Lasers Using Cr 4+:YAG Saturable Absorber |
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| Authors: | Kalisky Y Kalisky O Rachum U Boulon G Brenier A |
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| Affiliation: | Nucl. Res. Center Negev, Beer Sheva; |
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| Abstract: | We investigated the continuous wave (CW) free-running and repetitive modulation in the kilohertz frequency domain of a passively Q-switched diode-pumped Yb:YAG, Yb:GGG, and Yb:KYW lasers by using Cr4+:YAG as a saturable absorber. The results presented in this paper are focused on the design of a passively Q-switched Yb-doped garnets or Yb-doped tungstates microlasers. The free-running performance of Yb:YAG, Yb:GGG, Yb:KGW, and Yb:KYW were characterized, and experimental parameters such as gain and loss were evaluated. We carried out a fit between our experimental results and an existing numerical model, which relates the experimental and the physical parameters of the ytterbium diode-pumped system to the minimal threshold pumping power. The best performance among the laser crystals was obtained for Yb:YAG laser. A maximum peak power of ap4.5 kW at an average output power of 1.32 W was extracted with an extraction efficiency of ap25%. |
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