Subnanosecond pulse generation from diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state lasers.

Miniature diode-pumped acousto-optically Q-switched solid-state lasers deliver pulse durations as short as 600 ps at wavelengths near 1 µm. Specifically, Nd:YVO(4) lasers operating at 1.064 µm produce 600-ps/5-kW pulses at 1 kHz, 1.0-ns/2-kW pulses at 20 kHz, and 1.9-ns/0.5-kW pulses at 100 kHz. A Nd:YLF laser at 1.047 µm generates 700-ps/15-kW pulses at 1 kHz, and 1.2-ns/4-kW pulses at 10 kHz. At 1.342 µm, a Nd:YVO(4) laser produces 3.3-ns/0.8-0.6-kW pulses at 1-10 kHz.