Passive Q-switch and mode-lock modulators for the diode-pumped Nd:hosted solid state lasers

Four kinds of currently available Nd:hosted laser passive Q-switch and mode-lock modulators: plastic dye sheet, LiF:F2- color center crystal, Cr4+:YAG crystal and RG1000 colored glass filter were investigated in detail for the diode-pumped Nd:hosted solid state lasers. Nd:YVO4 lasers, m-Nd:YAG lasers as well as conventional Nd:YAG lasers, Nd:Glass lasers had been set up for investigations. Detailed analyses of the mode-locking effect in combination with Q-switching were provided. Interpretation given based on the characteristic features of the materials, like saturation intensity and relaxation times. The results explained at hand of adequate equations derived with respect to the relevant physical parameters of the materials.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.