TIMING OF A Q-SWITCH TO SUPPRESS PRE-LASING OF THE LASER

摘要

A method for preventing spatial or spectral beam seeding in a Q- switched laser is described. The Q-switch trigger of the laser is delayed by several laser resonator lifetimes after the end of the pump pulse. In this way, beam seeding is completely eliminated whilst pre-lase is maintained. The method described may be used for any laser system where the fall time of the pump radiation is sufficiently fast with respect to the upper state lifetime of t he laser medium.