Generation of 0.7–0.8 μ picosecond pulses in an alexandrite laser with passive mode locking

Picosecond pulses of 0.7–0.8 μ wavelengths were generated in an alexandrite laser as a result of electronic-vibrational transitions 4T2→4A2+hωphonon. Passive mode locking was ensured by the use of DS1 and DTTS saturable absorbers. The duration of the pulses generated using DS1 was 8 psec at wavelengths of 0.725–0.745 μ, whereas the duration of the pulses generated using DTTS was 90 psec in the range 0.75–0.775μ.