Abstract

Q-switching of diode-pumped solid-state lasers such as Nd:YAG and Nd:YLF provides energetic and short pulses for applications such as high-resolution laser altimetry and micromatching. Q-switched lasers utilizing acoustooptical (AO) switches are commercially available. AO switches have the advantages of low insertion loss and the capability of switching at high repetition rates. However, these switches are fundamentally limited In switching speed by the velocity of the acoustic wave in the transducer. Also, AO switches can suffer from inadequate hold-off when used in very high-gain lasers. Finally, the rf power used to drive the switch adds a substantial amount of heat to the laser, which is undesirable.

© 1988 Optical Society of America