High repetition rate electro-optic Q-switching of Nd(3+):YAG lasers showing strong optical birefringence

Using a configuration of two coupled resonators, electro-optic Q switching of CW pumped Nd(3+):YAG lasers was investigated. This technique yields two linearly polarized output beams with practically all the power contained in one beam. In the case of strong pumping, e.g., using high repartition rate flashlamp pumping, the optimization of mirror reflectivity leads to a single resonator configuration. As some applications make use of only one component of polarization, such as laser scattering diagnostics of thermonuclear plasmas, the usefulness of concentrating the available laser power into one linearly polarized output beam is shown.