Millijoule Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 946 nm

Abstract

Quasi three-level laser operation of Nd:YAG at 946 nm is reported. Applying an end-pumped configuration pulse energies of more than 2 mJ @ 14 ns at a repetition rate of 10 Hz have been achieved. This output performance corresponds, according to the authors' knowledge, to the highest reported values for such compact passively Q-switched solid-state lasers emitting around 0.9 μm.