Characteristics of Co2+:ZnS saturable absorber <i>Q</i>-switched neodymium lasers at 1.3 μm

Abstract

Passively Q-switched neodymium lasers, Nd:YAG, Nd:YALO, and Nd:BEL, at 1.3 μm using the saturable absorber Co:ZnS were characterized. The best performance, about ∼0.35 mJ pulse energy and 300 ns pulse duration, was obtained using the Nd:BEL laser. In a Co:ZnS Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, sequential dual-wavelength Q-switched pulses at 1319 and 1338 nm were observed. The time separation between the output pulses was about 2–10 μs. Theoretical analysis is presented including analysis of the dual-mode Q-switched laser operation.