SCPEM-Q-switching of a fiber-rod-laser

Abstract

We demonstrate high-frequency Q-switching of a fiber rod laser with a Single-Crystal Photo-Elastic Modulator (SCPEM) made of a LiTaO₃₋ crystal. This type of photo-elastic modulator can be driven simultaneously with two different eigenmodes to achieve a shorter rise time, which is essential for high-power operation. When operated in the laser cavity, a pulse repetition frequency of 183.6 kHz with an average power of 47 W, a pulse duration of 26 ns, and a peak power of 10.5 kW was achieved.

Effect of repetition rate on gain-switched fiber laser output pulses

“…To evaluate the repetition rate dependence on output laser pulse characteristics, we use an experimental setup based on Yb 3+ -doped, large-pitch micro-structured rod type fiber [20], which has previously been used with a Q-switched laser with nanosecond pulses [21].…”

Burst shaping in a fiber-amplifier chain seeded by a gain-switched laser diode

“…In the ns range direct diode modulation and Qswitching is the most common method. The latter usually employs an acousto-optic modulator [1], a saturable absorber [2,3] or other alternative techniques such as cavity dumping [4] and photo-elastic modulators [5]. The most compact fiber laser design to achieve ns pulses is based on laser resonator gain-switching [6][7][8][9][10][11], however it is rarely used as it cannot offer high peak powers.…”

Gain-switched ytterbium-doped rod-type fiber laser

“…Furthermore, the large ratio of the core area to the pump area offers high pump absorption and enables the application of shorter fibers [15]. There are many pulsed laser operation studies with Yb 3+ -doped rod-type fibers in an oscillator configuration that produce nanosecond pulses with Q-switching [16] using, for example, a photo elastic modulator [17,18].…”