Abstract

Compact ail solid state lasers play a crucial role in the applications such as cost effective reliable laser radars and laser range finders for smart munitions where precision, light-weight, low power consumption, and ruggedness must be achieved simultaneously. For many applications it is desirable to have powerful nanosecond pulses which can be obtained by using Q-switching. Passive Q- switching with saturable absorbers has the advantage of ruggedness, simplicity, and good control of transverse mode.

© 2001 Optical Society of America