title: Highly efficient Q-switched laser operation of Yb:Y3Ga5O12 garnet crystal.
abstract: We demonstrate, for the first time, passively Q-switched laser operation of Yb:Y(3)Ga(5)O(12) garnet crystal. An output power of 4.53 W at 1031 nm was generated at a pulse repetition rate of 55.6 kHz, with a Cr(4+):YAG crystal acting as saturable absorber whose initial transmission was 97.5%, the corresponding pulse energy, duration and peak power were respectively 81.5 μJ, 28.5 ns and 2.86 kW. Laser pulses at a lower repetition rate of 18.2 kHz were also achieved at 1025 nm while the initial transmission of the Cr(4+):YAG crystal was 85.0%, with an output power measured to be 2.56 W, the resulting pulse energy, duration, and peak power being 140.8 μJ, 5.9 ns, and 23.9 kW, respectively.
authors.affiliation: College of Physics, Qingdao University, Ning-Xia Road 308, Qingdao 266071, China. junhai_liu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Junhai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xueping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Kui
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qibiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Huaijin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers