Diode-pumped doubly passively Q-switched c-cut Nd:GdVO4 1.34 μm laser with V3+:YAG and Co:LMA saturable absorbers

By simultaneously using both V3+:YAG and Co:LMA saturable absorbers in the cavity, a diode-pumped doubly passively Q-switched c-cut Nd:GdVO4 laser at 1.34 mu m is demonstrated for the first time. The average output power, the pulse width and the pulse repetition rate have been measured. The experimental results show that the doubly passively Q-switched laser can generate shorter pulse width with higher peak power in comparison to the singly passively Q-switched laser only with V3+:YAG or Co:LMA saturable absorber. At the pump power 13W, the pulse width has been compressed 83% and the peak power has been improved 15 times, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.