Passively Q-switched flashlamp pumped Nd: YAG laser using liquid graphene oxide as saturable absorber

The performance of passively Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1060 nm is demonstrated using liquid graphene oxide (GO) composite solution as saturable absorber for the first time. The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is pumped by a xenon flashlamp. The GO was prepared using the simplified Hummer's method and then mixed with polyethylene oxide to form a composite solution. The Q-switched pulsed laser operates at wavelength of 1064.5 nm with a threshold pump energy of 33.64 J. The maximum output Q-switched laser energy of 41.6 mJ achieved at the maximum pump energy of 81 J. The corresponding pulse width is 98.67 ns.