Dual Q switching and laser action at 106 and 144 μm in a Nd^3+:YAG–Cr^4+:YAG oscillator at 300 K

Abstract

We report what is to our knowledge the first dual operation comprising laser action and Q switching of Cr(4+):YAG pumped intracavity by a Nd:YAG laser. This technique produced dual 1.06- and 1.44-microm pulses with 35- and 200-ns pulse widths, respectively. The Nd:YAG rod was pumped by a 1-ms flash-lamp pulse, resulting in a train of 1.06- and 1.44-microm pulse pairs at approximately a 30-kHz rate.