Abstract

In this Communication, we present an alternative method to Q-switching [1] for generating giant pulses of laser light. As it is well known in incoherently pumped two-level systems, continuous wave laser oscillation occurs when population inversion overcomes cavity losses. Therefore, a metastable level can be used to create a large population inversion in a very lossy cavity, i.e. a cavity with a low quality factor Q. Increasing suddenly the quality factor of the cavity, a short and powerful pulse of radiation can be generated.

© 1998 IEEE