Satellite pulse generation in diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO/sub 4/ lasers

We have both experimentally and numerically investigated the satellite pulse generation in diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:GdVO 4 lasers with Cr 4+ :YAG saturable absorber. We show experimentally that satellite pulse generation is a general effect of the lasers under strong pumping, and its formation is always associated with the appearance of strong Q-switched pulses. Satellite pulse generation of the lasers is further numerically simulated based on a coupled rate-equation model. Our numerical simulations show that the phenomenon is caused by the finite lifetime of the lower laser energy level of the lasers