Abstract

We have developed a new method for pumping solid state laser media with long upper state lifetimes when using a high repetition rate (10's of kHz) pump source. This method, named 'pulse stacking', involves accumulating several consecutive pump pulses in the upper laser level of the solid state medium, while a Q-switch suppresses lasing. The subsequent Q-switched laser output has increased peak power and shorter pulsewidth than with single pulse pumping as the laser is further above threshold. Pulse stacking is particularly advantageous when the pump pulse energy is near threshold, when high peak intensities are required (eg. for more efficient frequency conversion), or for a pumping scheme incorporating multiple pump lasers.

© 1996 Optical Society of America