Optimization of passively Q-switched Er:Yb:Cr:phosphate glass laser: theoretical analysis and experimental results

摘要

This article presents the results of theoretical analysis and experimental studies on passively Q-switched flash-lamp pumped Er: Glass laser employing Co~(2+):MgAl_2O_4 sat-urable absorber. Using two methodologies derived from basic rate equations, laser performance was optimized in terms of the output energy, pulse width and efficiency. The efficacy of these approaches is compared with each other and these results matched well when evaluated for a given system. Theoretical results have been compared with the actual experimental results. For optimum combination of output mirror reflectivity (R = 70%) and initial transmission of saturable absorber (T_0 = 83%), single pulse energy of 10.77 mJ, 35.6 ns pulse width was obtained with a Q-switching efficiency of 12.7%. The experimental results match well with the theoretical analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt to analyse passively Q-switched Er:Glass laser by Co~(2+):MgAl_2O_4 from both these approaches.