Abstract

We have recently reported efficient operation of a Tm,Ho:YLF laser pumped by quasi-CW diode-laser arrays [1]. This laser has been converted to a ring resonator, Q-switched, and injection seeded. Whereas we had obtained 50 mJ (2 W@40 Hz) of normal-mode TEM₀₀ output from a single-crystal linear cavity, the ring has produced up to 86 mJ using polarization out-coupling. Although conventional Q-switching of this laser is limited to 10-mJ by optical damage, we have extracted up to 41 mJ using active Q-switch voltage control. The ring laser has been injection-seeded at the 10-mJ level using a "ramp-and-fire" approach, and we will report on seeding experiments now underway using active Q-switching.

© 1995 Optical Society of America