Publications

Publications / Conference

Design and performance of a high-repetition-rate single-frequency Yb:YAG microlaser

Schmitt, Randal L.

We describe the design and performance of a high-repetition-rate single-frequency passively Q-switched Yb:YAG microlaser operating near 1030 nm. By using short cavity length, an intracavity Brewster polarizer, and an etalon output coupler, we are able to produce {approx}1-ns-long single-frequency pulses at repetition rates up to 19 kHz without shot-to-shot mode hopping. The laser's output spatial mode is TEM{sub 00} and its pulse energy varies between 31 {micro}J and 47 {micro}J depending on repetition rate. Its peak optical-to-optical efficiency is 22%.