A SUBNANOSECOND RISETIME ELECTRO-OPTIC SHUTTER FOR USE IN A LASER SYSTEM

An electro-optic shutter has been realized for use as a component of a Nd glass laser system delivering high peak power pulses. Its main characteristics are (a) switching time less than 1 nsec and (b) dynamic contrast ratio (i.e., peak pulse intensity/intensity preceding the leading edge) higher than 40 dB. This system is capable of delivering optical pulses with half-peak durations of 1 nsec. Two different synchronization schemes have been applied. The first one utilizes a Kerr-cell Q-switched laser. The same voltage step triggers, in turn, the laser and the shutter. The second one utilizes a rotating prism Q-switched laser. A fraction of the laser emission is used to trigger a spark gap which controls the electro-optic shutter. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.