A flashlamp-pumped, Q-switched Cr:Nd:GSGG laser
Abstract
A long-pulse Cr:Nd:GSGG laser was operated at almost 2 J output energy and almost five percent efficiency, using an uncooled pump cavity. An Nd:YAG rod in the same pump cavity produced 3.75 percent efficiency. Using a water-cooled pump cavity of standard design, the thermal focusing of Cr:Nd:GSGG was found to be almost six times that of Nd:YAG for the same flashlamp input energy. The thermal birefringence of the GSGG was also observed to be significantly higher than that of YAG. The performance of a Q-switched Cr:Nd:GSGG laser was characterized and compared to the predictions of a mathematical model for the laser. This yielded an estimate of 4.2 x 10 to the -19th sq cm for the peak stimulated emission cross section of Nd(3+) in GSGG. Usig the same technique for Nd:YAG yielded a value of 9 x 10 to the -19th sq cm.
- Publication:
-
IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics
- Pub Date:
- October 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1109/JQE.1985.1072565
- Bibcode:
- 1985IJQE...21.1625R
- Keywords:
-
- Flash Lamps;
- Gadolinium-Gallium Garnet;
- Laser Outputs;
- Neodymium Lasers;
- Optical Pumping;
- Q Switched Lasers;
- Solid State Lasers;
- Birefringence;
- Chromium;
- Energy Conversion Efficiency;
- Scandium;
- Thermal Blooming;
- Lasers and Masers