HO-CAF2 SOLID-STATE SATURABLE-ABSORBER Q-SWITCH FOR THE 2-MU-M TM,CR-Y3AL5O12 LASER

The holmium-doped calcium fluoride (Ho:CaF2) crystal was shown to be a n effective solid-state saturable-absorber Q-switch for a flash-lamp-p umped Tm,Cr:Y3Al5O12 laser at 2.017 mu m. with a 1-cm-thick Ho(0.5%),E r(5%):CaF2 saturable absorber and a 6.3% output coupler, a single Q-sw itched laser pulse of 51 mJ in energy and 60 ns in duration was obtain ed at a flash-lamp input energy of 85 J. With a 14.6% output coupler, a typical Q-switched laser pulse of 84 mJ and 82 ns was observed. (C) 1996 Optical Society of America