Self-Q-Switched Operation in a Nd:GdTaO4 Crystal at 1,066 nm

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate the self-Q-switched (SQS) operation of a Nd:GdTaO₄ laser with different output couplers. The SQS pulse trains are obtained by slightly adjusting the output coupler (OC) under stable continuous wave (CW) operation. In the SQS operation, we observe an output laser with the laser line at 1,066 nm. Under a pump power of 3.8 W, the laser designed shows the following results: (1) with an OC of 5%, the average output power is 0.249 W, the pulse width is 2.83 μs, and the repetition rate is 48.9 kHz, (2) with an OC of 10%, the average output power is 0.299 W, the pulse width is 3.62 μs, and the repetition rate is 53.0 kHz. In a word, the laser system designed is quite stable and suitable for generation of subnanosecond pulses.