Switching of the generation of nano/picosecond pulses in Nd:YAG laser with Pockels Q-switch

Laser ablation comparison by picosecond pulses train and nanosecond pulse

“…We have shown previously that solid state Nd:YAG laser with Pockel's cell Q-switch can generate nanosecond pulses or picosecond train pulses [21]. A simple and convenient technique for nano and picosecond generation switching was demonstrated by adjusting an active element rod inside a laser cavity as a Fabry-Perot interferometer to suppress longtidual modes [21].…”

“…We have shown previously that solid state Nd:YAG laser with Pockel's cell Q-switch can generate nanosecond pulses or picosecond train pulses [21]. A simple and convenient technique for nano and picosecond generation switching was demonstrated by adjusting an active element rod inside a laser cavity as a Fabry-Perot interferometer to suppress longtidual modes [21]. In this study two cases of laser pulse temporal profiles (nanosecond and picosecond train) with equal energy were used for laser ablation (figure 1, note the 40 times difference in peak power): 1064 nm, 10 ns (single pulse or pulse train duration), 1 Hz, TEM00, 6 mJ/pulse.…”

“…Recently, we have demonstrated that both picosecond pulse trains and nanosecond pulses can be generated within the same laser system [21]. Note that in some studies the picosecond pulse trains were claimed as nanosecond pulses even if sub-nanosecond features were observed.…”

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy with picosecond pulse train

“…A detailed description of how to control picosecond pulse train and nanosecond pulse generation for solid state Nd:YAG laser with Pockels cell based Q-switch was described in detail previously [35]. In this study we are focused on the compariso n of two laser pulse temporal profiles for LIBS measurements, thus all other laser beam properties were the same (figure 1): 1064 nm, 10 ns (single pulse or pulse train duration), 1 Hz, TEM00, 6 mJ/pulse.…”

“…Recently, we have demonstrated a substantial increase of signal-to-noise ratio for atomic/ionic lines in the plasma spectrum induced with picosecond pulse trains compared to nanosecond pulse [34]. Remarkably, the same pulsed solid state Nd:YAG laser system with flash-lamp pumping and active Q-switching can be triggered to generate single nano second laser pulse or picosecond pulse train [35]. A significant difference in ablation threshold, crater profiles and spectra intensity was observed for picosecond pulse train and nanosecond pulse.…”