Self-Q-switched and mode-locked Nd,Cr:YAG laser with 6.52-W average output power

Simultaneous self-Q-switched and mode-locked have been demonstrated in a diode-pumped Nd,Cr:YAG laser. For the first time as we know, almost 100% modulation depth has been achieved at an intracavity intensity of 5.6 x 10(5) W/cm(2). The maximum average output power of 6.52 W corresponding to a slope efficiency of 30% is obtained at 1064 nm. The laser produces high-quality pulses in a TEM00-mode at the pump power of 16.5 W. The pulse duration of the mode-locked pulses is about 600 ps with 136 MHz repetition rate. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.