Abstract

A passively Q-switched microlaser at 266nm is operated in triggered mode : for repetition rates randomly varying between 10Hz and 1kHz, the output performances (pulse energy and build-up time) exhibit remarkably small variations. Critical design parameters are reviewed, and detailed characterization of a prototype laser head is reported. Its performances are well suited for detection of biological aerosol with UV excited fluorescence, that do not require nanosecond scale timing jitter but need low cost and compact solid-state lasers.

© 2005 Optical Society of America