Stable sub nanosecond pulse generation from dual-loss-modulated QML YVO4/NdYVO4 laser with EO and middle SESAM

Abstract By using electro-optic (EO) modulator and middle semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM), a diode-pumped dual-loss-modulated Q-switched mode-locked (QML) YVO 4 /NdYVO 4 laser at 1.06 μm is presented. A stable pulse train with shorter pulse duration and higher peak power is generated. The experimental results show both the pulse width of the Q-switched envelope and the number of the mode-locked pulse underneath the Q-switched envelope decrease with increasing pump power. When the pump power exceeds 8.76 W, there is only one mode-locked pulse lying underneath a Q-switched envelope. This kind of stable sub-nanosecond pulse has the repetition rate of 1 kHz. The evaluated mode-locked pulse width is 950 ps and the corresponding peak power is 398 kW.