It is demonstrated that Q-switching dynamics in mode-lacked lasers can be c
ontrolled by use of an active feedback loop. Analytic design rules for the
feedback loop are presented. Suppression of Q-switched mode locking in a di
ode-pumped, passively mode-lacked Nd:YVO4 laser is shown experimentally and
numerically. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.