Dually mode locked Nd:YAG laser

A dually mode locked laser system is disclosed: the laser system is of the general type including a laser cavity defined by a pair of at least partially reflecting mirrors with a laser material disposed in the cavity. A loss modulator mode locking element and a phase modulator mode locking element are disposed in the laser cavity in optical series with one another. Modulation drive signals are provided for each mode locking element such that each element produces an output pulse train of substantially the same repetition rate and where the output pulse train is in a timed interrelationship such that the pulses pass through both mode locking elements without being extinguished. The loss mode locker is driven at a low level so that relaxation oscillations do not occur and forces the pulses generated by the phase mode locker to maintain a constant phase relative to the mode lock drive signal. The laser system can be run both open loop and with a phase lock stabilization feedback loop.