Experimental and theoretical investigation of large output power Q-switched AlGaAs semiconductor lasers

The response of AlGaAs two-section broad-area lasers to picosecond optical excitations was investigated. Q-switched pulses of up to 6 W amplitude with pulse widths less than 30 ps were measured. Asymmetric Q-switched behavior was theoretically predicted and excellent agreement with experimental results achieved on time scales shorter than the cavity round-trip time. >