Research progress of all-solid-state high-repetition frequency electro-optic Q-switched lasers – Part 1

Research progress of all-solid-state high-repetition frequency electro-optic Q-switched lasers – Part 1

INTRODUCTION

Since the advent of the first laser in 1960, laser technology has flourished and is widely used in many fields. Since the mid-to-late 1980s, solid-state laser technology and semiconductor laser technology have been favored by people because of their unique advantages. A new type of laser, the all-solid-state laser DPSSL (Diode Pumped Solid State Laser) pumped by laser diode LD (Laser Diode), came into being. LD-pumped all-solid-state lasers have the advantages of small size, light weight, compact structure and long life, and are widely used in many fields such as military, material processing, medical and scientific research. In particular, high-frequency, narrow-pulse-width, and high-energy solid-state lasers are widely used in many fields such as lidar, laser ranging, laser precision machining, and optical communications.

LD-pumped all-solid-state lasers use Q-switching technique to obtain high repetition frequency and narrow pulse width laser output. There are two types of Q-switching technique: active Q-switching and passive Q-switching. Passive Q-switching is easier to obtain narrow-pulse-width laser output because it does not require additional polarization optical components, but its output stability is poor, and it is difficult to achieve precise synchronization output, which limits its application in many fields. Electro-optical Q-switching (www.wisoptic.com) and acousto-optic Q-switching are commonly used active Q-switching methods. Among them, the acousto-optic Q-switching method can obtain high repetition frequency laser operation, but it has low switching speed and comparatively wider laser pulse width. The electro-optical Q-switching method has fast switching speed and large turn-off capability. The LD-pumped all-solid-state laser combined with the electro-optical Q-switching method can obtain high repetition frequency and narrow pulse width laser output, by directly using the dual-laser crystal technique in the oscillator or using MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier) outside the oscillator. In this paper, the research progress of all-solid-state electro-optical Q-switched lasers is reviewed from the aspects of repetition frequency, pulse width and single pulse energy.

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Post time: Aug-08-2022