Abstract

We propose new configurations of electro-optic modulators that are controlled by photoconductive switches. Photoconductive switching speed and the use of optical feedback combine to provide the potential for flexible intracavity and extracavity modulation of low- and high-power beams at multigigahertz rates. Experimental results are presented in which a modulator of this type is used to Q switch and cavity dump a Nd:YAG laser, utilizing only a single external trigger. The same modulator is also used to Q switch, mode lock, and cavity dump the same laser. The modulator allows the laser to produces pulses with durations over the range of <80 ps to >20 ns.

© 1993 Optical Society of America

Mode-locked fiber laser frequency-controlled with an intracavity electro-optic modulator

Darren D. Hudson, Kevin W. Holman, R. Jason Jones, Steven T. Cundiff, Jun Ye, and David J. Jones
Opt. Lett. 30(21) 2948-2950 (2005)

Passive Q switching of Nd:YAG lasers by use of bulk semiconductors

Y. Tsou, E. Garmire, W. Chen, M. Birnbaum, and R. Asthana
Opt. Lett. 18(18) 1514-1516 (1993)

Passively mode-locked diode-pumped solid-state lasers that use an antiresonant Fabry–Perot saturable absorber

K. J. Weingarten, U. Keller, T. H. Chiu, and J. F. Ferguson
Opt. Lett. 18(8) 640-642 (1993)

Effects of thermally induced birefringence in high-output-power electro-optically Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers and their compensation

S. Z. Kurtev, O. E. Denchev, and S. D. Savov
Appl. Opt. 32(3) 278-285 (1993)

Interferometric phase locking of two electronic oscillators with a cascade electro-optic modulator

C. H. Chao, P. Y. Chien, L. W. Chang, F. Y. Juang, C. H. Hsia, and C. C. Chang
Opt. Lett. 18(2) 131-133 (1993)