Many nonlinear sources of tuneable radiation (optical parametric oscillators/amplifiers, frequency mixers, etc) find their application in variety of optical investigations. To pump them, passively mode-locked lasers are now commonly used. Nonlinear interactions taking place in mentioned devices enormously boost the initial nonstability of pump laser parameters: of pulse duration, energy, spectrum, beam direction and so on. Another problem with passive and passive-active mode—locking technique is that of synchronisation of optical and electrical pulses to trigger experimental apparatus. Eg, ps-resolution streak cameras require pre-trigger pulse preceding by approx. 10÷100 ns the optical signal arriving on entrance slit, and the electrical to optical signal jitter must not exceed 100 ps [1].
Employment of short-pulse lasers in microfabrication opens up a lot of opportunities in tailoring and shaping variety of materials. The main drawback in a wide use of the laser technology on micro-and nanoscale today is the low fabrication speed. An increase in the pulse repetition rate is a way to reach the desired efficiency. New high-power and high repetition-rate lasers based on the diode-pumped Nd:YVO 4 crystals with the pulse duration in picosecond and nanosecond time range were developed and applied in processing of different engineering materials. Pulsing up to 100 kHz allowed flexible machining of bulky and thin-film materials. Results of microfabrication and their relation with laser parameters are presented.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.