FEEDBACK-CONTROLLED MODE-LOCKING OPERATION OF ND-DOPED CRYSTAL LASERS

Feedback-controlled mode locking (FCM) of Nd:YAG-, YAP-, and YLF-laser oscillators with superior pulser properties is demonstrated. Microsecond trains of ultrashort laser pulses are generated with durations of 11 psec (YAG), 9.8 psec (YAP), and 6.7 psec (YLF), respectively, governed by the fluorescence linewidths. Inserting an antiresonantly tuned 6talon in the cavity yields stable operation with even shorter pulses of 6.4, 5.9, and 4.7 psec, respectively, and a reproducibility of ±5%. © 1990 Optical Society of America.