Characterization of a high-gain picosecond flash-lamp-pumped Nd:YAG regenerative amplifier

Abstract

We evaluate the performance of a novel 10-Hz picosecond Nd:YAG regenerative amplifier configured as a selffiltering unstable resonator. Pulse energies of ~60 mJ in ~100 psec at 1.06 microm are achieved using a single 6-mm-diameter Nd:YAG rod, while mode-matching requirements are minimized.