2.79 mu m erbium laser with lead-lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramics electro-optic Q-switching output coupler

Highly refractive and transparent lead-lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics are used for an output coupler of the erbium yttrium scandium gall ium garnet laser (lambda=2.79 mu m) that simultaneously serves as the laser electro-optic Q switch. The optical aperture of such a dual-function PLZT element was 6 X 6 mm(2) and the thickness was 3 mm. For Q switching, short approximate to 3 mu s negative voltage pulses (1500-1800 V) were applied to the positively direct current biased (approximate to 1400 V) PLZT element. Single-pulse lasing with a pulse half width of 160-170 ns was observed at short and long delays of the Q switch with respect to the pump flash. The h ighest output energy of 20-22 mJ within 1.5-2.5 mu s, consisting of two or three pulses with 130 ns half width was obtained at an intermediate delay o f 90-110 mu s. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)02431 -1].