Subnanosecond Tm:KLuW microchip laser Q-switched by a Cr:ZnS saturable absorber

摘要

Passive Q-switching of a compact Tm:KLu(WO4)(2) microchip laser diode pumped at 805 nm is demonstrated with a polycrystalline Cr2+:ZnS saturable absorber. This laser generates subnanosecond (780 ps) pulses with a pulse repetition frequency of 5.6 kHz at 1846.6 nm, the shortest pulse duration ever achieved by Q-switching of similar to 2 mu m lasers. The maximum average output power is 146 mW with a slope efficiency of 21% with respect to the absorbed power. This corresponds to a pulse energy of 25.6 mu J and a peak power of 32.8 kW. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America