title: Short-pulse actively Q-switched Er:YAG lasers.
abstract: We report the shortest duration pulses obtained to date from an actively Q-switched Er:YAG laser pumped by a low spectral and spatial brightness laser diode. The 14.5 ns, 6 mJ pulses were obtained using a 1470 nm laser diode end-pumped co-planar folded zigzag slab architecture. We also present an analytical model that accurately predicts the pulse energy-duration product achievable from virtually all Q-switched Er:YAG lasers and high repetition rate quasi-three-level Q-switched lasers in general.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ottaway
authors.forename: Lachlan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Veitch