Passively Q-switched ceramic Nd3+:YAG/Cr4+:YAG lasers

Passively Q-switched ceramic Nd3+:YAG lasers with ceramic Cr4+:YAG saturable absorbers are demonstrated. When the lasers are pumped by a 1-W cw laser diode, optical-optical efficiency as great as 22% is obtained with Cr4+:YAG of initial transmission ranging from 94% to 79%. The results are similar to those in their crystalline counterparts. The operation of Brewster's angle and the polarization state of the laser output are also investigated. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.