Acousto-optically Q-switched diode side-pumped Er:YLF laser generating 50kW peak power in 70ns pulses

We report on a newly developed Q-switched diode side-pumped Er:YLF solid state laser emitting at 2.81 μm. Efficient short pulse generation is achieved by utilizing the relatively long lifetime of the upper laser level and the inherently linear polarized laser light of the Er:YLF crystal material. By means of an acousto-optic switch, peak powers of 50 kW with corresponding pulse widths of 70 ns and pulse energies of up to 3.5mJ are realized at a repetition rate of 100 Hz. The laser operates efficiently at room temperature and has a compact nature, enabling minimized thermal impact tissue ablation as well as pumping of non-linear crystals for mid-IR generation.