G. V. Maksimova

Efficiency of an Li–Nd–La phosphate glass laser at low pump energies. Free lasing

An investigation was made of the free-lasing regime in a high-concentration Li–Nd–La phosphate glass pumped in the energy range 1–15 J. A laser efficiency of 2.9% was obtained for a pump energy of 14.5 J. Estimates were made of the intracavity losses and the maximum attainable efficiency was determined. An investigation was made of the laser performance in the giant pulse regime and at pulse repetition frequencies of up to 25 Hz.

Passive Q-switching of eyesafe Er:glass lasers

The search for simple and effective methods of erbium glass lasers (lasing wavelength 1.54 microns) Q-switching is a task of present interest. It is interesting because this wavelength radiation is relatively eyesafe and may be used in medicine, lidars, and fiberoptics. Nowadays, existing active methods of Q switching are rather inconvenient for practical use (rotating prism) or complex and not too efficient (electrooptic cell). As for passive shutters based on color centers in crystals, or organic dyes, nowadays they are only under development, and Q—switching is obtained in them only as a small effect. In this report, two new simple methods of passive Q-switching of erbium glass lasers are suggested, and the main properties of obtained giant pulses are investigated.