Abstract

Nd:MgO:LiNbO₃ has motivated recent interest because of its reduced photorefractive damage. Quasi-cw laser action and self-frequency doubling have been reported.¹ In this paper we report demonstration of self-Q-switched laser operation in this material. The active laser medium and the electrooptic Pockels cell were integrated into the same crystal rod. The laser consists of a 2- X 2- X 11.5-mm crystal in a nearly spherical 10.6-cm cavity. Prior to Q-switched operation, cw lasing at 1.093 µm was obtained by end pumping at 598 nm (Rh6G dye laser). The laser field was forced to be polarized along the crystal a axis by a thin Brewster plate Inserted inside the cavity. Applying to the crystal ~250 V (electric field along the a axis) was enough to stop cw lasing when pumping twice above threshold. In these conditions we measure a Q-switched pulse width of 500 ns and a peak power of 180 mW at~1-khlz repetition rate. Additional results are presented using much higher pumping levels. Cutting the crystal itself at Brewster angle will eliminate the need for an intracavity plate.

© 1985 Optical Society of America