Stable microsecond pulsewidth passively Q-switched Tm,Ho:YLF laser

Abstract

In this paper we first report on a continuous wave laser diode end-pumped passively Q-switched Tm,Ho:YLF laser at 2053 nm with Cr:ZnS crystal as a saturable absorber near room temperature. The pulsewidth is very stable at about 1.25 μs, the pulsed energy is about 4 μJ, and the pulse repetition is between 1.3 and 2.6 kHz when the pump power is changed from 1.0 to 1.9 W. The nearly diffraction-limited and stable long pulse laser can be used to laser lidar systems for accurate wind velocity measurements.