Coupled-cavity Q-switched laser

摘要

A Q-switched laser having a gain medium disposed within a first cavity and a second cavity whose optical path length is adjustable such that the quality of the first resonant cavity is affected. One aspect of the invention is the changing of the physical path length of the second cavity so as to affect the reflectivity of a mirror common to both cavities as seen from the first cavity. Another aspect of the invention is the incorporation, within the second cavity, of a material whose refractive index or absorption coefficient can be varied by the application of an electric field, a magnetic field, a temperature change or an applied pressure.