Diode-pumped laser system using uranium-doped crystal Q-switch

摘要

A laser system (20) includes a laser resonator cavity (22) having a resonant path (46) and an Er,Yb:glass lasing element (28) with an output of from about 1.5 to about 1.6 micrometers within the laser resonator cavity (22). A diode array (32) optically pumps the lasing element (28) to emit light. A Q-switch (44) lies along the resonant path (46) within the laser resonator cavity (22). The Q-switch (44) is formed of a host material having a concentration of uranium ions therein, so as to be a saturable absorber of the light emitted by the lasing element (28). The Q-switch (44) is preferably a uranium-doped fluoride such as U:CaF2, U:SrF2, or U:BaF2. <IMAGE>