Controlled passive <i>Q</i> switch for the N2-laser-pumped dye laser

Abstract

A method for obtaining a single Q-switched laser pulse from dye lasers is presented. The method employs a passive Q switch triggered after time delay by a control beam. The delay time is adjusted until single high-power pulses are produced. Peak power in the dye laser is shown to increase by a factor of 6 due to the Q switch. The results are compared to solid-state laser theory.