A LASER WITH A QUARTZ ELECTROOPTICAL Q-SWITCH,
Abstract
Potential practical applications of a quartz crystal for Q-switching of a laser resonator are investigated. Quartz is found to be superior to other materials in terms of optical homogeneity, mechanical stability, and nonhygroscopicity. The main output parameters of a laser employing a quartz Q-switch appear to be somewhat below those obtained from a laser featuring a KDP Q-switch. The 'giant' 10 Mw, 30 nsec pulses obtained experimentally proved stable with respect to amplitude, duration, and rise time, and thus showed the practical applicability of quartz for electrooptical shutters used in single-pulse lasers. It is still too early to compare the quartz with the KDP Q-switches as to efficiency. However, after work on it has been completed, the electrooptic quartz Q-switch will be capable of generating giant pulses in a ruby laser at least as effectively as does the KDP-crystal modulator. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0685953
Entities
People
- A. P. Zharkov
- V. A. Shamburov
- V. M. Ovchinnikov
- Yu. E. Kamach
Organizations
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center