Abstract

Direct resonant pumping of Er:YAG is a laser configuration studied for compact eye-safe emitters which applications require kilometer range propagation in the atmosphere, like active imaging, Lidar and wind mapping. The laser emission of these cavities naturally occurs at 1645 nm. But a methane absorption line exists at this wavelength. One way to increase the range of the emitter is to use the 1617 nm emission line which is free of absorption. Recent researches gave nice results in active Q-switched regime at 1645 nm [1] and at 1617 nm [2]. But some applications require a compact, efficient and simple setup with mJ level pulse energy. Our recent work focused on passively Q-switching Er:YAG cavity with direct resonant fiber-coupled diode pumping.

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