Single-frequency operation of Nd:YAG lasers
This manuscript describes the design and testing of a Nd:YAG injection seeding system that produces stable single-axial-mode Q-switched pulses at 1.06 ..mu..m. The master oscillator is a c-w single-frequency Nd:YAG laser pumped by Kr arc lamps. The frequency is locked to a highly stable reference interferometer. The c-w laser can operate single frequency on either the main 1.064- or the 1.061-..mu..m transition, with tunability of up to 180 and 80 GHz, respectively. Polarized, TEM/sub 00/ single-frequency output of 0.5 watts can be achieved at the peak of the 1.064-..mu..m transition. The slave oscillator is a commercial polarization-coupled, diffraction-stabilized, Q-switched Nd:YAG. A new technique for eliminating spatial hole burning in laser resonators is described and implemented in the slave oscillator. Also described in a new method that actively maintains the required match between the slave resonator axial-mode spectrum and the master oscillator frequency. The integrated system produces stable single-axial-mode Q-switched pulses over periods of hours without any adjustment.
- Research Organization:
- Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5304362
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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