title: Small-signal gain investigations for a continuous-wave diode-pumped Q-switched Cr:LiSAF laser.
abstract: We measured small-signal gain in a cw diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF and showed that upconversion and thermal quenching of fluorescence strongly limit small-signal gain. Then we optimized the gain in a Cr:LiSAF laser pumped by two 400-mW red diodes. In Q-switched operation, this laser produced tunable nanosecond pulses between 800 and 900 nm. At 850 nm, we obtained 230-ns pulses with an energy of 6.5 microJ at a repetition rate of 10 kHz.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Falcoz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kerboull
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Druon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balembois
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Georges
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brun