Abstract

We have demonstrated significant extension of the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) operation regime of a diode-bar-pumped Nd:YAG laser towards higher PRF. The laser is an electro-optic Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with stable resonator It is side-pumped by pulsed laser diodes with a duty cycle in the order of 20 %. Earlier we have demonstrated that the PRF can be continuously adjusted over an enormous range from 1 Hz to 1 kHz At 1 kHz, typically an output power of 10 W is generated, corresponding to a single pulse energy of 10 mJ [1]. The pulse duration in the fundamental wave is about 12 ns. Combined with a near-diffraction limited beam quality (M² < 1.1), this high intensity allows external harmonic generation with high efficiency. Typical values at 1 kHz are an average power of 6.5 W at 532 nm, 4.5 W at 355 nm, 2.8 W at 266 nm, and 1 W at 213 nm in the 5HG [2].

© 1998 IEEE