title: Monolithic quasi-phase-matched nonlinear crystal for simultaneous laser Q switching and parametric oscillation in a Nd:YVO4 laser.
abstract: We report the performance of a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal inside a diode-pumped Nd:YVO4 laser for simultaneous laser Q switching and optical parametric oscillation. The monolithic PPLN crystal consists of two sections, a 1-cm-long 14-microm-period electrode-coated section and a 4-cm-long 30-microm-period section, functioning as a low-voltage Pockels cell and a quasi-phase-matched parametric gain medium, respectively. At a 150-V Q-switching voltage and a 6-kHz switching rate, we measured 25-microJ pulse energy and 4-kW peak power at 1.55 microm with 9-W absorbed diode power.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Optical Sciences, National Central University, Jhongli 320, Taiwan. yhchen@ios.ncu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Y H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y Y
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang