Single-mode pulsed dye laser pumped by using a diode-pumped Nd : YAG laserwith a long pulse width

The lasing characteristics of a single-mode dye laser pumped by using a dio de-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL) with a high repetition rate is describe d. A 45-mm-long Nd:YAG rod was pumped by three CW diode arrays and it was a cousto-optically Q-switched. A KTP crystal was used for intracavity frequen cy doubling. The pulse width of the laser ranged from 90 ns to 200 ns, depe nding on the diode current and the Q-switching frequency. The single-mode d ye laser had a grazing incidence configuration. The pulse width of the dye laser was reduced to about 1/8 of the pumping laser pulse width. The effect s of the DPSSL Q-switching frequency, the driving current, and the cavity l oss on the dye laser pulse width were investigated by using a simple plane- parallel cavity. From the measured pulse width of the dye laser as a functi on of the reflectivity of the dye laser output coupler, we found that the c avity loss due to the frequency selection elements and the output coupler s hould be less than 70 % in order to avoid a drastically reduced pulse width .