MODE-LOCKING AND Q-SWITCHING OF AN OPTICALLY PUMPED MINIATURE ND-3+-YAG LASER

A miniature Nd**3** plus :YAG laser is developed which is optically pumped by a dye laser or a GaAlAs diode laser and can be operated continuously. Q-switched, mode-locked or Q-switched and mode-locked. The continuous-wave laser produced an output power of 23 mw at 1. 06 mu m for an absorbed pump power of 127 mw from a dye laser operating at 590 nm. Output pulses with an energy of 12 mu J and 140 ns (full width, half maximum) duration at a repetition rate of 1 kHz were achieved by Q-switching the system, while mode-locking produced pulses of 240 ps (full width, half maximum) and 138 pJ of energy at a repetition rate of 245. 7 MHz.