Feedback stabilized actively mode-locked Nd:phosphate glass laser

An electrooptic, actively mode-locked Nd:phosphate glass laser system is described employing a novel single-step feedback system to stabilize the pulse buildup time. Single output pulses of about 100 ps duration with energies of up to 1 mJ could be reliably generated with a standard deviation in the about 3.2-microsec pulse buildup time of + or - 40 ns allowing synchronization with pulses from laser systems at other wavelengths. Evidence of pulse broading due to self-phase modulation was observed together with wide tunability of the output wavelength from 1.054 to 1.068 microns.